Walk Leader Guidelines
This guide is intended for members who are prepared to organise and lead walks. All walks demand careful planning and co-ordination and it is wise to make sure that you have covered every eventuality. New walk leaders should liase with Walks Programme Secretary(ies) and see if 'mentoring' or 'buddying' can be offered, whereby you will learn from an experienced Walk Leader.
There are three programmes per year, usually for February to May, June to September and October to January. The programme is published in the preceding month, therefore please send your full walk details to the Walks Secretary as early as you can.
Walk details should include:
• Name(s) of walk leaders and preferred tel. contact number.
• Date of walk and time (if not standard 10.15am).
• Directions to start point and parking information (incl. any charges).
Please include the O.S. Grid Reference and Postcode (if there is one).
• Approx. walking distance(s) in mileage (morning and afternoon) and a brief description of any
points of interest and of the terrain e.g. easy / flat, moderate / hilly, any likely hazards incl. rivers,
rough paths, hard climbs etc. Please say whether it is a circular or fig. of 8 route.
• Lunch details - picnic and / or name of public house or café.
Before the walk
Ensure that your route is likely to be suitable for the time of year. You could consult a book of local walks or use one as a basis for your route. If you plan to use a public house or café please include a contact telephone number (so that members wishing to use it can make their own advance bookings.
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A reconnaissance walk (recce) beforehand is important to ensure that you know your way around the route and to check for potential problems such as busy roads and impassable paths. Please contact a committee member if you would like any help with this and in any event, try not to walk alone, not least to ensure that you have a 'backmarker' on the day.
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Important Factors:
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Assess how long the route takes, allowing for a larger group, especially if there are are hills and stiles to negotiate.
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The pace of the group over the day will be slower than your individual pace and is unlikely to be much over two miles an hour.
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Note places where the group should be particularly careful such as road or railway crossings and busy farmyards.
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Make a note of any points of interest on your route, also viewpoints and places that would be suitable for a short break.
On the Day of the Walk
• Please take a basic first-aid kit and if possible, a fully charged mobile 'phone.
• Aim to arrive at the start at least 30 minutes before the start time of the walk. Ensure that cars
are directed to the parking place / start point (if not obvious).
• Give a short briefing of the route and any points of interest or hazards such as busy roads etc. Introduce new members or visitors and point out the back marker for the duration of walk.
• Note how many walkers there are and remind them not to leave the group without letting you
know.
• During the walk please set a pace consistent with that of the slowest walker so that the group
does not become too separated. Make a few stops at suitable points to allow those behind to
catch up and rest awhile before moving on.
• Exercise caution if you encounter livestock. Usually they will not be troublesome provided that the
group stays together and maintains a safe distance. Try to walk around cows (in particular) and
never get between a mother and its young or walk so as to make animals feel cornered. If you
encounter a bull with cows it will probably be more interested in them than you. Solitary bulls
should be given a wide berth. Do not take risks with livestock, if in any doubt stop and find an
alternative route.
• The backmarker needs to be familiar with the route.
• Check regularly that the group is complete and that nobody is missing or in any difficulty.
• Ensure anyone taking a comfort stop knows which way the group is going and slow down to allow
them to catch up.
• Check the weather forecasts for the day and be prepared to cancel the if the weather is
particularly bad or if conditions are hazardous. Inform the Walks Secretary (or if not available, any
committee member) a.s.a.p. by telephone.
• Go to start point (or arrange for someone else if not possible) in case any members were not
contacted and turn up.
If you have to cancel because of illness or other reason, if time allows, try to find a replacement
leader who knows route. Failing this contact any of the above to arrange cancellation of walk.
After the Walk
• Let the Walks Secretary know how many walkers came and how the walk went.
• Congratulate yourself and your backmarker on job well done!