Coventry Ramblers aims to provide a programme comprising a choice of walks. This is only possible through members volunteering to lead. Some offer walks on every programme but usually our Walks Co-ordinators struggle to fill all of the slots.

Please consider helping the Group by offering to lead. To do so contact Walks Co-ordinators:

Recce the walk before leading on the day. Expenses can be claimed for one recce if necessary. Claim forms and rates for reimbursement are available here.

A large stock of OS maps, which belong to the Group, are held by the Chairman. Please contact the Chairman if you wish to borrow a map.

Contact the leader of the previous walk in the programme to obtain the walk leaders’ bag that contains a first aid kit, the signing-in-book, Ramblers membership application forms, promotional leaflets, incident forms, ICE (In Case of Emergency) cards, etc. Prepare the signing-in book with date, place of walk, length of walk and leader’s name.

If possible notify the Walks Coordinator, at least one week in advance, of the starting place for the walk.

Write out the details of the route from the meeting point in Whitefriars Street to the start of the walk. Include your mobile phone number. These directions are to be distributed to drivers at the meeting point in Whitefriars Street.

Arrive at the meeting point 10 minutes before the start of the walk. Take the first aid kit on the walk.

Ask all the participants to sign the book. Non-members should sign at the bottom of the page. Welcome any new walkers and ensure everyone has a lift to the start of the walk. Encourage car sharing, but recognize the sensitivity of doing this.

Drive to the start of the walk and ask anyone who has gone straight to the start to sign in. Check that the number in the signing-in book tallies with the number of people actually walking. Be sure you know how many people are walking. Appoint a back marker if there are 12 or more participants. You may wish to exchange mobile numbers with the back marker. Give the back marker the emergency whistle – if it is used make sure it is cleaned before it is put back in the walk leader’s bag.

Introduce any visitors, give brief details of the walk and stops that will take place. Generally a coffee stop is welcome after 1-1½ hours and a lunch stop as appropriate.
Check that walkers are carrying their ICE (In Case of Emergency) cards or issue cards to those without one from the walk leaders pack.
Lead the walk at the pace of the slowest. If you have a very slow walker try to encourage them to walk in the centre of the group as continually falling to the back is discouraging.
Advise all walkers to maintain visual contact with walkers in front of them and behind them.
At rest points ensure that the last people to arrive benefit from a short rest as well.
Enjoy the walk and ensure everyone returns safely. In the unusual event of a serious accident complete the Incident Form in the Walk Leaders’ bag and return it to a committee member.

Contact the next walk leader on the programme to arrange to hand over the Walk Leaders’ bag.

Thank you for offering to lead a walk. Your contribution is greatly appreciated.

March 2018