Each year we embark on a series of walks of between 10–12 miles most within easy travelling distance by car of Stoke on Trent. For those walks further afield we provide a coach starting from Hanley and picking up people on route.
All walks start around 9.30am stopping for lunch at a pub on route finishing about 3.30pm and are along public rights-of-way over hills, through fields and valleys, woods and villages. Many are in the lovely countryside of Derbyshire, Wirral, Cheshire, Staffordshire and we also walk in Shropshire, and other areas.
Some are figure-of-eight rambles, enabling people to return home after the lunch break if they wish. The walks are easy to moderate and within the capability of most active people.
Our recent walks include along the River Severn at Bewdley, Cannock Chase, Rudyard Lake and Carsington Water.
Each year we have a walking weekend further afield, making it a long weekend where you can book overnight accommodation.
We have approximately 40 active members with 20 - 25 who walk regularly. We visit all parts of the Midlands and the North of England and are very fortunate that the Peak District is on our doorstep and that the Cotswolds are only a couple of hours drive away.
Most walks are held between April and October in addition to a walk at Christmas, which is followed by our legendry Christmas Lunch where Santa always put in an appearance with presents for all.
All walks are surveyed before hand and by a Route planner to ensure there suitability. We are aware of individuals capabilities and plan our routes accordingly. The safety of you and your companions is always of paramount importance when you are walking in the UK (and in deed further a field).
Ensure that you are properly equipped for the time of year - bear in mind that whilst it may be glorious summer at the foot of a hill in the UK, depending on where you are it can be close to zero degrees and a howling gale at the top of the hill.
For your own safety we ask that all participants
Wear suitable footwear preferably boots
Bring plenty of food and drink for a mid morning break
Bring waterproofs and extra warm clothes
During the winter bring gloves and a warm hat
During the summer bring sun block protection
A suitable rucksack would be between 10 & 30 litres
The Countryside and Rights of Way Bill of 2000 (CRow) will give you the right to walk across 'access land' in England and Wales. There are clear limitations, however. It only applies to clearly defined mountains, moors, heaths, downs and registered common land. It only applies to walkers and not to cyclists or horse riders. There are exclusions, too - on cultivated land for example. Access land can also be closed off by landowners for up to 28 days a year, and closed for routine management like heather burning, to protect wildlife, for defence reasons and for safety reasons.
Significantly, dogs must be kept on leads between 1st March and 31st July and always in the vicinity of livestock. In addition, you can be excluded from grouse moors and fields during lambing if you have a dog.
Until access land has been identified and mapped you will still not have the right to roam unless there are existing rights of way. Hopefully his process will be completed as quickly as possible. Ordnance Survey maps showing access land and the countryside bodies will produce information on access opportunities and restrictions. This will be distributed in guides, booklets, leaflets and over the internet. Information will also be available through visitor centres, tourist information offices, local media, shops and at information points near access land.
Wherever we go we always follow the Country Code
Guard against all risk of fire
Fasten all gates
Keep dogs under proper control
Keep to paths across farmland
Avoid damage to fences, bridges and walls
Leave no litter
Safeguard water supplies
Protect wildlife, plants and trees
Go carefully on country roads
Respect the life of the countryside |
