| Welcome
to Mendip Ramblers |
What
walking do we offer? |
| Our
Group arranges 2 or 3 walks each week: every Sunday
and Thursday throughout the year
and some other days (often Fridays) when walks are
followed by a meal (evening, lunch or breakfast(!).
These rambles are usually in the Mendips or neighbouring
areas such as Exmoor, the Quantocks, Dorset or West
Wiltshire. |
The
programme shows the start point, approximate walk
length and the name and phone number of the leader.
All walks have a leader and back marker. They work
as a team, adjusting the pace to keep the group
together. However gaps sometimes develop in large
groups and it is the responsibility of every walker
to maintain contact with those ahead and behind.;
if difficulties arise please get word to the leader
to slow down. |
| There
is no need to book in advance, except where it specifies
on the programme - usually to make arrangements
for catering. We recommend wearing boots, bringing
a sandwich lunch, something to drink and a waterproof.
If you have any questions about the walk, how to
find the start point or want to bring your dog,
please phone the leader who will be happy to provide
advice. Well controlled dogs are normally welcome
but if you are new to us and unsure, phone the leader
to check. |
We
have informal car sharing arrangements. You’ll
quickly get to know others from your area but if
you need help initially in arranging a lift the
leader should be able to offer advice.
We also arrange weekends away offering a chance
to walk in the countryside of other counties.
In recent years we have held a Walking Festival
over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Over the three
days we have a programme of 3 or 4 walks each day
centred on a parish in the Mendip DC area. |
What
is Mendip Ramblers? |
| Mendip
Ramblers is one of a network of groups in England
Wales and Scotland which are part of the Ramblers’
Association, the national charity working
for walkers.
Most Mendip Group members live in the areas of Wells,
Glastonbury, Street, Shepton Mallet and Frome area
and the countryside between but we welcome residents
of other areas.
In addition to the walks we have a variety of social
events, such as quizzes, meals and dances.
|
After
you have walked with our group a few times, we hope
that you will then join the RA. When you join you
automatically become a member of the nearest local
group or you can nominate which group you wish to
join. As a RA member you can walk with any RA group,
not just your nominated one. |
If
you have any questions about any aspect of the group
please ask an existing member or one of the committee.The
committee is elected at the AGM and members
are listed in every walk programme and on the web
site. |
| Our website
is: www.mendipramblers.co.uk |
| The Somerset
Area website (within which you will find links to
the walking programmes of other Somerset RA groups)
is: www.somersetramblers.co.uk |
What
else does Mendip Ramblers do? |
| A
very important part of our work is keeping open
the network of local public rights of way. We work
within the Mendip District Council to clear footpaths
and overgrown stiles, way mark paths, build bridges
across streams, install or repair stiles and erect
fingerposts where the footpaths start from a road.
This is done by our volunteers who go out most Tuesdays.
The Mendip District Council provide the timber and
our members do the installation. We also carry out
parish footpath surveys and provide comments back
to Mendip District Council on any proposals that
might affect footpaths. |
What
are the Benefits of RA Membership? |
| All
members are sent free of charge the local walks
programme and a walking handbook full of essential
information about walking in Britain. There is also
a quarterly members’ magazine full of news
about our campaigning work and the world of walking.
Many of the outdoor shops (including Blacks and
Millets) give a 10% discount on purchases by RA
members, and the London office has a library of
walking maps for loan. |
Most
of all, your subscription helps to protect footpaths
from closure, preserves the countryside and increases
access on foot. This includes promoting walking
in general and fighting cases and causes that an
individual acting alone would find extremely difficult. |
|
For information on how to join the Ramblers’
Association phone 020 7339 8573 or log on to www.ramblers.org.uk
. Costs vary depending on whether you join as an
individual (£24 p.a.) or jointly (£32
p.a. for two adults at the same address). There
are also reduced rates and life membership available
|
More
Information? |
| For
information on the walking programme phone Rick
on 01749 672373 or visit our website, www.mendipramblers.co.uk
|
| If
you want to help out with building stiles and footbridges
on a Tuesday, please phone Bob on 01749 346023.
If you want to help with footpath clearance, please
phone Jean on 01749 677600. |
|
|
|
|
|
