Lancaster & Morecambe Walking and Social Group: Guidelines for Walk Leaders
Planning a Walk
- Having decided on a walk, try to recce it within a month of the walk date.
- Identify a suitable place to park cars.
- Identify a suitable lunch spot.
- Be conscious of length and timing of walk, especially in winter months: walks should be between 5 and 10 miles long.
- Check weather conditions close to date of walk.
- Check if able to shorten walk if weather turns bad.
- Leaders should carry a basic first aid kit, and a torch.
Advertising the Walk
- Complete the online Walk Details Form HERE and submit 10 days before the walk (ie Thursday) and certainly by no later than the Sunday prior to the walk.
- State clearly whether the walk is easy, moderate or hard, including whether there are any steep climbs.
- Recommend hi viz clothing (e.g. armband) on winter walks.
- Try to coordinate car sharing, point people needing a lift to WhatsApp group.
- Check programme online agrees with the walk you are doing.
- Always reply promptly to people who have said they wish to come on the walk.
On the day, before starting
- Check weather forecast.
- Arrive early.
- Introduce yourself to the group as the walk leader
- Introduce any new members.
- Mention to any dog owners about responsibility for their dog, especially in presence of sheep or cattle ie dogs put on leads.
- Check for inappropriate clothing for your walk eg boots.
- Brief introduction to walk, including lunch break, approximate end time.
- Mention any busy road walking (single file and, apart from sharp bends to the right, walkers should stay to the right hand side of the road)
- Request only 2 abreast when crossing ploughed/in crop fields.
- Appoint a back-marker if the group is large.
- Before setting off, count number in the group.
On the walk
- Keep re-grouping, especially at stiles, and regularly check numbers.
- Always stop at junctions or tricky spots to make sure everyone goes the correct way.
- Have a coffee/tea stop.
- Have short stops for water, especially if it is a hot day and/or a tough walk.
- Do not have too long for a lunch stop (up to 30 minutes), and make sure no litter is left.
End of walk
- Check that everyone has made it!
- Make sure everyone knows which café we are all going to.
- Thank people for coming on the walk.