SOUTH SOLIHULL U3A WALKING GROUP
Coordinator's Details
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Richard Walton
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INTRODUCTION
South Solihull U3A Walking Group
Fresh air, good exercise, an appreciation of the countryside and convivial company are the key benefits of being a member of the Walking Group.
Two walks are arranged each month – one a 'shorter walk' which is usually about 4 – 5 miles long and will take 2 – 2.5 hours and the other a 'longer walk' which can be anything from 5 - 10 miles long and can take 2.5 – 5 hours. The longer walks are usually in the first half of a month and the shorter ones in the second half. Walks are arranged on weekdays only and the date is varied so that members with fixed day commitments can also manage to get on some walks. Walk dates are set months in advance and are advised to members through an e-mail and are also on the SSU3A website meetings and diary page. Approximately one week before a walk, full details are e-mailed out to all members of the Walking Group. It is not necessary to book a place on a walk or even to confirm attendance (or not) – just turn up at the starting point at the designated time.
New members have to sign a Walks Disclaimer Form before starting their first walk and the Leader or Group Coordinator will provide this. Guests who may wish to join the Walking Group or are a friend/ relative of a member can come along on a walk after completing a Walks Disclaimer Form.
Walks are led by members of the Group who have volunteered to lead a walk and they will have recced the walk beforehand so that they are confident of the route and the conditions that we are likely to meet. Walks are generally in the local area and the starting point will be within 10 miles of Bentley Heath although some walks are more distant than that. We are lucky that there are many designated countryside paths in our locality.
We walk in most weathers although a walk would be cancelled if there was heavy snow or the ground was icy underfoot. Members of the Group therefore need to wear walking boots on the walks and also to have wet weather outer clothing when appropriate. A walking pole can sometimes be useful. The walk leader will not allow someone to go on the walk if they consider them to be inappropriately attired. It is also important for walkers to be aware of their own physical capabilities and not to attempt walks that are, or may be, beyond them.
Walks usually start promptly at 10.00 a.m., members having assembled 15 minutes earlier to get booted up, to sign in and to listen to any pre-walk briefing. A drinks stop is arranged on all walks and walkers usually bring a flask of a hot drink/ a cold drink with them. For the longer walks there may be a sandwich stop/ a pub lunch stop part way round the walk or it may be delayed until the end of the walk, particularly if there is a pub at the start/ finish point. Refreshment suggestions are included in the e-mail notification of each walk as are full directions to the start point. Walkers often car-share to get to the walk start point. Car parking is at the car driver's own risk and the U3A takes no responsibility for any loss or damage that may occur even if the parking arrangements have been suggested by the Walking Group Coordinator.
Other Walking Activities
From time to time other walks are arranged. For instance, in Spring 2013 and in 2014 a number of members enjoyed a 3 day walking break in the Peak District and in May 2013 a number of us walked the 14 miles from Dorridge, along the Grand Union Canal to Warwick, returning by train. In July 2013 and July 2015, the Walking Group organised a 'Treasure Hunt' open to all SSU3A members around the centre of Knowle. In April 2015, a group of members went on 4 day walking break and successfully completed the 45 miles of the North Norfolk Coastal Path. This year a 5 day walking holiday in the Lake District is being organised for May 2016.
The Walking Group Coordinator is Richard Walton, who can be contacted by e-mail at HYPERLINK "mailto:richardwalton@blueyonder.co.uk"richardwalton@blueyonder.co.uk
Fresh air, good exercise, an appreciation of the countryside and convivial company are the key benefits of being a member of the Walking Group.
Two walks are arranged each month – one a 'shorter walk' which is usually about 4 – 5 miles long and will take 2 – 2.5 hours and the other a 'longer walk' which can be anything from 5 - 10 miles long and can take 2.5 – 5 hours. The longer walks are usually in the first half of a month and the shorter ones in the second half. Walks are arranged on weekdays only and the date is varied so that members with fixed day commitments can also manage to get on some walks. Walk dates are set months in advance and are advised to members through an e-mail and are also on the SSU3A website meetings and diary page. Approximately one week before a walk, full details are e-mailed out to all members of the Walking Group. It is not necessary to book a place on a walk or even to confirm attendance (or not) – just turn up at the starting point at the designated time.
New members have to sign a Walks Disclaimer Form before starting their first walk and the Leader or Group Coordinator will provide this. Guests who may wish to join the Walking Group or are a friend/ relative of a member can come along on a walk after completing a Walks Disclaimer Form.
Walks are led by members of the Group who have volunteered to lead a walk and they will have recced the walk beforehand so that they are confident of the route and the conditions that we are likely to meet. Walks are generally in the local area and the starting point will be within 10 miles of Bentley Heath although some walks are more distant than that. We are lucky that there are many designated countryside paths in our locality.
We walk in most weathers although a walk would be cancelled if there was heavy snow or the ground was icy underfoot. Members of the Group therefore need to wear walking boots on the walks and also to have wet weather outer clothing when appropriate. A walking pole can sometimes be useful. The walk leader will not allow someone to go on the walk if they consider them to be inappropriately attired. It is also important for walkers to be aware of their own physical capabilities and not to attempt walks that are, or may be, beyond them.
Walks usually start promptly at 10.00 a.m., members having assembled 15 minutes earlier to get booted up, to sign in and to listen to any pre-walk briefing. A drinks stop is arranged on all walks and walkers usually bring a flask of a hot drink/ a cold drink with them. For the longer walks there may be a sandwich stop/ a pub lunch stop part way round the walk or it may be delayed until the end of the walk, particularly if there is a pub at the start/ finish point. Refreshment suggestions are included in the e-mail notification of each walk as are full directions to the start point. Walkers often car-share to get to the walk start point. Car parking is at the car driver's own risk and the U3A takes no responsibility for any loss or damage that may occur even if the parking arrangements have been suggested by the Walking Group Coordinator.
Other Walking Activities
From time to time other walks are arranged. For instance, in Spring 2013 and in 2014 a number of members enjoyed a 3 day walking break in the Peak District and in May 2013 a number of us walked the 14 miles from Dorridge, along the Grand Union Canal to Warwick, returning by train. In July 2013 and July 2015, the Walking Group organised a 'Treasure Hunt' open to all SSU3A members around the centre of Knowle. In April 2015, a group of members went on 4 day walking break and successfully completed the 45 miles of the North Norfolk Coastal Path. This year a 5 day walking holiday in the Lake District is being organised for May 2016.
The Walking Group Coordinator is Richard Walton, who can be contacted by e-mail at HYPERLINK "mailto:richardwalton@blueyonder.co.uk"richardwalton@blueyonder.co.uk
ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE
- Approximately 24 walks per year, half short walks (up to 5 miles), half longer walks (5 - 10 miles)
- Leadership of walks shared by members of the group
- A number of 'first time' walk leaders have led walks in the last year
- 3 day walking break in Derbyshire Peak District (April 2013) and was repeated in May 2014
- Canal walk from Dorridge to Warwick (May 2013)
- Treasure hunt quiz around Knowle (July 2013)
SCHEDULE OF FORTHCOMING EVENTS
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Please see the Diary for the details of future walks
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“Short” walks are up to 5 miles long.
“Long” walks are 5 – 10 miles long. The estimated length is included in the e-mail notification sent to members prior to the walk. |
A wet walk near Temple Grafton But we saw a rainbow .................................and the silver lining of the cloud |
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