Information for New Walkers Woodspring Ramblers is one of nine Somerset RA groups  

Welcome to WoodspringRamblers
We hope you have enjoyed walking with us and will come again

What do we offer?
Our Group arranges a walk every Sunday throughout the year and occasional walks mid-week, usually on a Wednesday. These rambles are usually in the North Somerset and Somerset areas but we also visit neighbouring areas such as Exmoor, the Quantocks, Bath and NE Somerset, and South Gloucestshire. The programme shows the start point, approximate walk length and the name and phone number of the leader. There is no need to book in advance, except where it specifies on the programme - usually to make arrangements for catering. We recommend wear 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 advise.
We also arrange weekends away offering a chance to walk in the countryside of other counties.

What is Woodspring Ramblers?
Woodspring 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. After you have walked with our group a few times, we hope that you will then join the RA and you automatically become a member of the nearest local group. Most Woodspring Group members live in the southern half of the North Somerset Unitary authority, in which Weston-Super-Mare is the main town, but we welcome residents of other areas.
What else does Woodspring do?
A very important part of our work is keeping open the network of local public rights of way. We also carry out parish footpath surveys, report problems and check proposals to divert 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.

More Information

Transport: members are encouraged to car pool, and to pick up those without transport.  Please make your own arrangements.  As a guide, passengers should pay owners 5p per mile towards costs, plus a share of any tolls or other charges involved.

Unforeseen circumstances such as forecast severe weather or transport disruption may lead to walk changes or cancellation.

Meet-up points: six-figure Ordnance Survey grid references are given for the start of each walk.

Refreshments: it is advisable to bring your own on all walks, although stops are sometimes made at pubs and cafes.

Dogs are welcome on walks, unless stated otherwise, providing they are kept fully under control at all times.  The walk leader may require that dogs are kept on short leads at any time.

The Ramblers' Association and walk/event leaders disclaim responsibility for accidents or other occurrences that may take place during any event. All walkers must be responsible for their personnel safety.

Membership: after attending two walks, guests are expected to join the Ramblers’ Association.  Your subscription covers Group costs and supports the work of the RA locally and nationally.  Programmes are only mailed to RA members.  For membership forms and information, contact Mary on 01934 844429

Click here for: information on how to join the Ramblers’ Association phone 020 7339 8573


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.

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.