THE BASICS

On our web site walks are listed MONTHLY. Click on the button for a particular month for full details.

Details include dates, distances, short descriptions, leader's name and contact number, and, perhaps most importantly, the starting times for walks, their locations and Ordnance Survey map grid references (GR). Car-pooling is encouraged and so meeting times at Princes Road Car Park in Wells (PRCP) are also indicated. Passengers should pay 6p per mile per person to the driver.

Currently Mendip Ramblers walk every Thursday and Sunday throughout the year. Sunday walks are usually between 8 and 12 miles and Thursday walks 5 to 7 miles. The overall pace, including stops, is about 2 miles per hour. A somewhat slower pace is used on Thursday walks, and for walks in excess of 9 miles a slightly faster pace is common.
Between May and August there are also 4 mile pub walks on a Friday evening. There are also various walking festivals and long weekend breaks.

Bring a packed lunch (20-30 mins) and fluid for one or two drinks stops (10 mins). All routes can be muddy after rain so good sturdy footwear is essential, as are waterproofs and a day pack.

Dogs are usually welcome but please ring the leader beforehand to confirm this. It is essential that dogs are totally obedient and under the control of owners at all times.

SAFETY

Walkers are expected to remain behind the leader and to follow any instructions they might be given. Participants with concerns about the conduct of a particular walk should inform the Walks Programme Secretary, currently Richard Plant.

All sporting and leisure activities have inherent hazards associated with them and rambling is no exception. In spite of the safety of members always being the paramount concern, accidents will occasionally occur. It is important, therefore, that when entering into the activity, each member appreciates that they have a responsibility to identify the hazards associated with the activity and take all reasonable steps to mimise the potential for an accident to arise.

The Ramblers' Association has an insurance policy which is essentially a standard traditional third party public liability policy. However it also includes a limited amout of civil liability cover. More detail is given on the Ramblers' Association Circular 113/05

It should be noted that the Association does not have any policy which covers individual members in the event of personal accidents. Such cover is the responsibility of the individual.

MEMBERSHIP

We particularly welcome the presence Ramblers Association members attached to other groups. Unattached walkers will be encouraged to join the Ramblers' Association after "sampling" a few walks. (There are potential insurance implications involved after non-members have walked more than three times with the group). Membership forms are generally available from any committeee member or see the membership web page.

MINOR POINTS
Thursday Walks are designed to be short (5 or 6 miles) and leisurely and will appeal to new or potential members who wish to try us out, and to those who have concerns about stamina or fitness. Regular walkers should bear that in mind and not be tempted to stride ahead or show impatience!

New leaders are always most welcome! Have a look at the leaders' section of the web site and speak to Richard Plant.

The walks programme secretary operates on a cycle of FOUR MONTHS so the number of months available on the opening pages will vary. (So for example if it is March the new programme for April to July will just have been published)