FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Most of the information that new walkers need is to be found on our website. However, for speed and ease of use we have listed below some of the most important FAQs. We also encourage all members to refer to the detail in our website, particularly the Safety Code. Please don't hesitate to ask if you need further advice. You can use the 'Contact Us' form or simply contact a committee member.
FAQs:
Is the club affiliated to any political or religious group?
What is the age group of the club?
Who decides which walks to offer?
Do I need to book a place on a walk?
Do I need to notify anyone if I change my mind about going?
Can I go straight to the start of a walk?
May I bring a dog on a club walk?
What should I bring on a walk?
Are the walk leaders qualified?
Do the groups include a qualified first aider?
How are communications within the club handled?
Where can I find information regarding the walks?
Would I be expected to walk each week?
Could I try out walking with the club?
What information do I need to provide?
Does the club insurance cover me on walks?
How do I go about joining the club??
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Is the club affiliated to any political or religious group?
No. However we are affiliated to RamblersUK and we use this organisation for guidance on good practice.
Who organises the club?
A small committee determines the activities of the club. The current committee members' names are on our website.
What is the age group of the club?
As we are a midweek group, many of our members are retired, though we do have some working part time. So the age group is mainly 50+
Where is the club based?
The club does not have a base in the sense of a building or club house. Many of our members live in the Neston, Parkgate, Burton and Willaston areas of the Wirral with some further afield in Wirral, Cheshire and North Wales. We use local pubs for our Annual General Meetings and the Gladstone Village Hall for some social events.
Our name comes from our origins within the Manor Gatehouse Club, a social club set up 30 + years ago, based in the gatehouse of Burton Manor.
Who decides which walks to offer?
The committee determines the frequency and grades of walk. The Programme Secretary then puts this into practice on the calendar. The Programme Secretary seeks volunteer leaders for the programme and they decide which walks they can offer which fit the grades required.
How long are the walks?
The D walks are typically half day walks of around 4-5 miles. C walks are generally around 6-8 miles over a full day. B walks can be up to 8-10 miles. A grade walks can sometimes be quite short at around 6-8 miles but will take all day if they involve scrambling over mountain rocks. They may be up to 12-14 miles over easy terrain.
Do I need to book a place on a walk?
No. Just turn up. For your first few walks it is a good idea to let the Programme Secretary know that you intend walking, so the leader can be alerted to look out for you.
Do I need to notify anyone if I change my mind about going?
Please, yes if you have previously said you would be going. This is so that we do not wait unnecessarily.
Where do you meet?
The arrangement is to meet at either of two locations indicated as E or W on our programme. Currently these are:
E: Toby Carvery, Warrington Road, Hoole CH2 4EX What3words headsets.breathy.grownup
W: Tinkersdale car park, Hawarden. Nearby post code CN5 3DG What3words garlic.shirts.squares
What time do you meet?
You should get to the assembly location 10 minutes or so before the published time - which is the 'set out' time. This allows time for sorting car shares and checking on the route and parking. Generally for A and B walks we set off at 08:30 and for C walks at 09:30. D walks often meet at the start of the planned walk, often at 10.00.
No. We recommend it though, in case parking space is limited at the start of the walk. Meeting at E or W also allows the leader to give last minute instructions or changes to plans.
Do I have to pay for a lift?
No. It is a voluntary contribution towards costs, on a scale shown on the programme chart. The distance is the one way distance from E or W to the walk start. We pay these contributions at the end of the walk before the drive back. The rate per person is determined by the published scale, not the number of people in the car.
Can I go straight to the start of a walk?
Yes, but it is generally not advisable. Meeting at E or W before setting off gives the leader a chance to give route and parking advice and inform of any late changes to the walk. In the event of a bad weather forecast this might even be a complete change of walk. (at a similar or lower grade). Walkers planning to go straight to the start are advised to let the leader know in advance.
May I bring a dog on a club walk?
Sorry, no.
What should bring on a walk?
D walks are usually half day walks. All the others are usually full days - typically 4 to 6 hours. So you should bring a drink on all walks and a packed lunch plus snacks for the full day walks. We usually stop for a mid-morning refreshment stop and then a picnic lunch stop (so bring something like a section of mat to sit on.) Sometimes there is a further mid-afternoon refreshment stop.
What should I wear?
There is an extensive section on this topic on the website. Footwear is particularly important. Trainers are generally not suitable except for an easy D walk on paved surfaces.
Might I get left behind?
No. We like new walkers to start with easy D or C walks to judge the usual pace. New walkers will be introduced to walk leaders and the leaders aim to ensure that the pace is comfortable for all in the group. In the event that anyone is feeling uncomfortable then it is important that the leader is informed. The pace can be adjusted or extra 'breathers' included. Provision can also be made for a walker to turn back, accompanied by some other members of the group. Our walks are not races, route marches or 'yomps'. We like to enjoy the scenery and fresh air.
Are the walk leaders qualified?
No - at least, not in the sense of paper qualifications. Experienced club members take turns to lead walks, having previously checked the route.
Do the groups include a qualified qualified first aider?
No. Club members are advised to bring a basic first aid kit with them on walks.
Is my attendance on a walk recorded?
No. But it may be that you could appear in photos taken by group members during the walks. Please see our Privacy/GDPR statement and note that if you do not wish to appear in any photos you should make that known (to a committee member).
How are communications within the club handled?
Any member of the committee may communicate with members by email. The most frequent messages are from the Programme Secretary advising on upcoming walks and safety issues. In addition we have four WhatsApp groups - one for each grade of walk. These are primarily used for last minute short messages regarding walks, for example cancellations due to adverse weather. the WhatsApp groups are not used for general 'chit chat'. New members will be put in touch with the WhatsApp Administrator for inclusion in one or more groups.
Mobile phone numbers and email addresses are shared amongst club members. This can help in respect of car sharing.
Where can I find information regarding the walks?
The club website includes the current programme and the next programme - each normally for four months. These programmes show the date of the walk, the grade ( D being the easiest), the meet point (E or W), the time to meet (actually this is the set-off time), the start point of the walk (+ parking) - grid ref and What3words, brief title of the walk with mileage and cumulative ascent, and the walk leader.
In paragraphs below the calendar there are some brief descriptions of upcoming walks along with a note on exceptional hazards (all country walking is hazardous to an extent so we try to identify any unusual hazards).
If more information is required then walkers are encouraged to contact the programme secretary or just use 'Contact us' on the website.
Would I be expected to walk each week?
No. Club members walk when it suits them. Obviously, the more often you walk, the more you get to know fellow club members and the more enjoyable club membership becomes.
Could I try out walking with the club?
Absolutely yes. In fact we encourage it. Use the Contact Us feature and we can make some suggestions. Generally, we would expect a prospective member to consider joining us after no more than three walks.
What information do I need to provide?
We will need contact details for yourself and for someone to contact in the event of an emergency. These are provided by means of online forms and further information is given on the website here.
Does the club insurance cover me on walks?
No. The insurance that we have is to protect the club (committee) from any damages claims. All walkers participate at their own risk.
How do I go about joining the club?
Complete the 'Join Us' form on our website and click on 'Submit' (Bottom left on the form) . The form goes to our Membership Secretary who will get in touch with you to arrange for payment of the membership fee. For your first few walks it is advisable to let us know so that leaders can be alerted to expect you.