Information @ July 1st 2008
Queries to the Chairman or Secretary
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
RA LIBRARIES
A comprehensive collection of Outdoor Leisure, Explorer and Pathfinder maps together with walk guides are held by the librarian. Members may borrow these free for up to four weeks. Updated Pathfinder maps of Leicestershire are held and may be borrowed for up to two weeks only. Applications to the Map Librarian.
A collection of holiday guides and maps (The Holiday Guide Fund) is held by Terry Bates, telephone 0116 241 8887.
Most walks meet at Grafton Place (Burleys Way), opposite St Margarets Bus Station. All walks are circulars unless otherwise stated. This street will be a pay & display zone from April 2005. therefore do not get there too early!
Sunday walks are usually between 10 to 12 miles.
Saturday full-day rambles are usually longer and walked at a faster pace. They are often not pre-walked and are therefore sometimes longer than the stated distance.
Saturday afternoon rambles and Summer evening midweek rambles meet at the starting point shown in the programme and are usually between 4 and 5 miles long.
Thursday walks start at the venue stated and are 5-7 miles long Often followed by a pub lunch (optional)
Coach Rambles meet at former EME plc. Sports Ground, Aylestone Road where parking is available.
(additional pick-up outside Southgate Street bus garage.)
Booking is by payment of full fare (normally non-returnable) to the Coach Secretary. . The approximate distances for A, B or C rambles are 13 miles, 11 miles and 9 miles respectively. An optional evening meal is arranged before the journey home. Contact the Coach Secretary to book.
Bus rambles, time and start bus stop is shown in the programme. Bus times are liable to alteration at short notice. Please confirm times with Traveline; 0870 608 2608, website; www.traveline.org.uk (or Walk Leader) Bring food for Lunch and tea on full day rambles. Lunch stops are normally at pubs. Users are expected to buy a drink, so no flasks please.
Car costs will be shared. The Group recommended fare in Leicestershire is based on 7.5p. per mile from the pick-up point at Grafton Place to the start of the walk and back. It does not include the driver going out of their way to take passengers home. Car journeys outside Leicestershire are calculated at 5p per mile.
It would be appreciated if car drivers could meet at Grafton Place, Burleys Way. (Now a pay&display zone)
Drivers should show consideration for locals when parking in villages. The Leader will advise on parking.
We regret that dogs are not allowed on rambles for safety reasons. Almost all incidents involving livestock happen when a dog is allowed to run free.
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 eliminate or minimise the potential for an accident to arise.
Members joining rambles are advised to take out their own personal insurance.
All walks are free to members. Non members are expected to join after an introductory three walks to support the aims of the Ramblers Association.
Fares given in the programme may change. Check with the Leader on the day.
RA Head Office: Second Floor, Camelford House,
87/90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW.
Tel: 0207 339 8500. Fax: 0207 339 8501
e-mail: ramblers@london.ramblers.org.uk
Website. ramblers.org.uk
The Ramblers’ Association is a Registered Charity (number 1093577) and a Company limited by guarantee (number 4458492)
The Ramblers Association is a registered charity aimed to look after footpaths and defend and preserve the countryside from damaging & ugly development. A more recent aim is to promote and encourage walking as a physical activity for better health. Authorities strongly recommend that regular walking is the perfect activity for improving fitness and health creating a more outdoor and varied life style offering a host of other benefits including a sense of social wellbeing.
ABOUT THE LEICESTER GROUP
The Leicester group is the largest in the Leicestershire & Rutland Area and has a successful record of preserving and restoring public rights over footpaths, other highways and open spaces and to improve access to land so these precious places may be discovered and enjoyed by walkers now and in the future. An elected committee oversees the functions of the Leicester Group and plans its activities. Working either directly or through our representatives on the R.A. Area Committee, which covers the whole of Leicestershire & Rutland, Leicester Ramblers are in regular contact with Local Authorities giving our views and suggestions concerning changes to the footpath network in the two counties.
Committee members represent our Association on various official bodies, attend public meetings and public enquiries to gather information, discuss and make known the concerns and objectives of walkers. We carry out footpath surveys and report obstructions and deficiencies found during our group or individual walks in order that “Rights of Way” can be kept easy to use so everyone can enjoy them.
WALKING DETAILS
The best way to preserve paths is to walk them so we produce two walking programmes a year. Each programme contains a variety of walks spread throughout the county and beyond. Aimed to please everyone, listed in the programme are short, medium and long, figure of eight walks, short summer evening walks, coach rambles and away weekends.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON WALKS (ONCE PER MONTH)
These circular walks of about 4 miles long usually start from a village close to Leicester. They provide an opportunity for families and newcomers to walking to enjoy a leisurely stroll in the countryside with friendly likeminded people.
SUMMER EVENING WALKS (WEEKLY MAY TO AUGUST)
Led at an easy pace these walks attract many people and are a popular social occasion especially for newcomers to rambling. centred on a village hostelry they provide an opportunity for people to meet and enjoy a healthy outdoor activity ending with a convivial drink in a local pub.
SATURDAY FULL DAY LONG RAMBLES
Many of these walks are outside Leicestershire in the surrounding counties and are intended for the more adventurous and experienced walker, or those wishing to improve their levels of fitness. Often they are not pre-walked, are usually longer and walked at a faster pace.
SUNDAY RAMBLES
These walks are at a moderate pace and are regularly attended by the main body of walking members. Most of these rambles are in Leicestershire with the occasional one in a neighbouring county.
COACH RAMBLES (EVERY MONTH)
Once a month a coach ramble is arranged travelling away to a scenic walking area. These trips are the most popular activity the Leicester Group undertakes with three graded walks to suit members abilities. An optional evening meal at a pub or restaurant is arranged before the journey home.
WEEKENDS AWAY
Weekends and longer periods away are planned several times a year to popular walking areas. Accommodation is organised with stays in Y.H.A Hostels or Guest Houses. A series of walks is arranged and led by our members.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Games nights, skittle evenings and group restaurant meals are some of our group activities.
RAMBLERS ASSOCIATION LIBRARIES
A comprehensive collection of maps and walk guides is held by our Librarian. These are available free for members use.
PUBLICATIONS
In addition to the R.A. colour quarterly magazine “WALK” and the year book and accommodation guide “WALK BRITAIN” the Area Committee produces a twice yearly Newsletter and the group issues circulars with general information and news of activities.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Five meetings are held during the year where correspondence, officers reports and rambling matters are discussed. An annual general meeting is held in November. At this meeting the Annual Report is discussed, Committee members selected, and a general discussion conducted where members may ask questions and voice any concerns or suggestions on the running of the Association.