The Ramblers' Association
Milton Keynes & District Group
Walk Leaders' Page
This section gives hints and tips for walk leaders and will be of particular use to new or aspiring leaders. Without leaders, there would be no walks and we are all very grateful to those who put in a lot of hard work planning, recceing and leading walks for the group. We are always looking out for new people to come forward as leaders, so if you fancy having a go, talk to some of our more experienced leaders, any of whom would be happy to advise you. It's understandable that you may feel a bit nervous about leading your first walk, but if you'd like support some of our existing leaders may offer to co-lead a walk with you which will help to build up your confidence.
Ramblers' Association guidance
The Ramblers' Association website contains masses of useful information to help walk leaders. The RA has also produced a Walk Leader's Checklist on a handy A6 size card. We have a supply of these cards if anyone would like one.
Planning your walk
You may already know a walk you would like to lead, but if not you can get ideas from walk leaflets, books of walks (we have some in the MK Ramblers Library which you may borrow), magazines such as Country Walking, websites or by looking at a map and working out your route from scratch. Whichever you decide to do, some considerations to bear in mind are:
- Location of the walk - distance from Milton Keynes - is it feasible for everyone to get to the start of the walk independently or would it be better to meet locally and share transport.
- Length of walk and how long it will take to walk it. This may depend on the time of year and hours of daylight available. You also need to bear in mind, that everything will take longer with a group of people as stiles and other obstacles will slow people down. As a general guideline, allow 2 - 2½ miles per hour including breaks.
- Meeting time - again dependent on how long you estimate it will take to complete the walk. Remember to allow time for getting to the start point.
- Circular or linear - if it's a linear walk you will need to work out the logistics of transport. If you are planning to use public transport check train/bus times in advance. If using cars, you will need to make sure there are enough cars to transport everyone from one end of the route to the other. As a general guideline, count the number of people and divide by 2. So, if there are 12 participants, you will need 6 cars - all cars drive to the end of the walk, 3 are parked there while the other 3 return to the start with all the people. When you have finished the walk, the cars at the end will then transport people back to the start to pick up the cars parked there.
- Terrain - whether it's a walk around the redways of Milton Keynes or a long trek in the mountains of Snowdonia, choose an area that you will feel confident in being able to navigate, whatever the weather. Bear in mind the amount of ascent and descent, whether paths are well maintained, number and type of stiles, river crossings and other obstacles.
Recceing your walk
If at all possible, it is advisable to recce the whole of your walk in advance. Investigate suitable places at the start (and at the end if linear) for car parking. Check that your route keeps to public rights of way, unless in open access ground and make a note of any difficult areas for navigation. You may also wish to choose spots for coffee / tea and lunch breaks and check facilities such as toilets, pubs or cafes. It's a good idea if you can, to ask someone to accompany you on the recce as two heads are better than one and your companion may agree to be backmarker on the day. If you notice any obstructions or problems with footpaths, make a note of the location and report the problem to the Rights of Way Officer on the local council or speak to our Footpath Secretary who will be able to advise you on what action to take. You may also wish to plan a shorter "escape route" in case anyone has problems, though this is not always practicable.Details of walk for Programme
You will need to provide sufficient information about the walk to enable people to decide whether the walk is suitable for them or not. For guidance look at the current programme, which will indicate what information is essential. It is important to include the following details:- Your name and telephone number
- Date of the walk
- Meeting time and place - include a grid reference or other locational details
- Description of the walk including length, whether hilly or flat, wooded or open, interesting places and features
- Arrangements for lunch, refreshments, etc - what people should bring, availability of pubs, tea rooms
- Whether dogs are allowed - this may depend on whether you are walking through fields with livestock
Equipment
Unless you know the route extremely well, it's advisable to take a map and compass, even when using written instructions from a book. If you have a GPS, you may prefer to use this. You should also have a first aid kit in case of emergencies. It may seem obvious, but make sure that you have the right gear for the terrain and weather conditions. A stick or secateurs can be useful for clearing overgrowth from paths. There may be non-members or newcomers on the walk, in which case a supply of spare programmes and membership leaflets can come in handy.On the day
Arrive early at the meeting place and welcome everybody. Check that all walkers have suitable equipment - you are entitled to turn someone away if you feel they are inadequately prepared for the expected conditions and may be putting themselves or others at risk. Introduce yourself and give a brief resume of the walk, mentioning any points of particular interest and arrangements for lunch and refreshment stops. Give an approximate return time. Appoint a backmarker if you feel it's necessary, bearing in mind the number of participants and type of terrain.
During the walk, keep near the front so you can steer people in the right direction and make sure you can see the backmarker. Set a reasonable pace, but keep an eye on the group to make sure people don't get too spread out and check that no one is struggling. You may need to slow the pace down a bit if people are having difficulty in keeping up. At rest breaks, let people know if there are toilets or other facilities nearby which they may wish to use and give a 2 minute warning that you are about to continue the walk, so people have time to repack their bags, etc.
Insurance
RA members are covered by civil liability insurance, which protects leaders against claims for damage to property and injuries which may occur on the walk. For more details, see the RA website.If you are unfortunate enough to have any incidents / accidents on your walks which might involve a claim on our insurance, please make a note at the time of all relevant details, eg personal details of those involved; when, where and what the incident was, and statements from witnesses if appropriate. Then report it to the secretary as soon as possible who will pass it on to the insurers as necessary; if in doubt, give him a call."
Submit your walk details
Tony, our Programme Secretary needs details of future walks in plenty of time for inclusion in the next programme. You can phone him or Complete an entry in the Calendar below.
July 2008
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Note: Information entered into this calendar is viewable by anyone with internet access.
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The Programme Secretary will confirm but may need to negotiate an alternative date.
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