WALKING

HALF DAY WALKS
Convenors Marilyn Jones and Diane Hartwell 
marilynjones560@icloud.com       hartwells@btinternet.com
We meet at Rockfield Community car park on the 2nd Thursday and the 4th Tuesday of the month and aim to leave at 9.30 am. The walk is approximarely 5 miles. We share cars and reimburse the driver for the cost of petrol. 
I recommend that you wear walking boots or stout shoes and bring a waterproof for bad weather. Please bring clean shoes for the ride home. Also bring a drink as we usually make a brief stop about 11 am.
Leaders Guidelines at the bottom of the page.
In Case of Emergency (ICE) cards are being sent out with  membership cards. Please write down the details of the person you would like to be informed in the event of an accident, and carry them with you on U3A walks.
Half Day Walk Programme 2018
If the weather is very bad and you intend to meet at the start point of the walk rather than at Rockfield, please check with the organisers to find out if the walk will take place. For walks on 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Thursdays click here
2019
January 22nd Mike B
Meet at Rockfield 9.30am. Start at Skenfrith Castle. Ascend to the ridge behind the Bell Inn.  Walk to Tregate Bridge, cross into England and return on the opposite side of the river Monnow.  Approximately 6 miles and unfortunately a lot of stiles.  The good news is that all the ascent is in the first part of the walk and it’s downhill or flat after that.
February 14th Lindsey and Marjorie
February 26th Judy and John
March 14th Cherry and Marilyn
March  26th Roger
April 11th Tom and Sue
April 23rd Daphne and Ruth
May 9th Elsie and Isobel
June 13th John and Pat
Leaders required for May 28th and June 25th.

STROLLERS
Convenors  Mel Bucktrout  melvyn.bucktrout@tiscali.co.uk 
Strollers walk on the first Tuesday of a month.   New members are  very welcome to join us.
1st January 2019 Meet at Rockfield at 1.30. We will be walking the canal towpath from Govilon. Afterwards at about 3 pm, we will have a cup of tea at Raglan Garden Centre. Non-Walkers are welcome to join us there.


Highway Code Guidelines and Ramblers' Countryside Code for Walkers and Leaders
These notes are taken from The Highway Code (there is a section for pedestrians), The Ramblers’ Countryside Code and based on advice from experienced walkers, walk leaders and farmers (who are also walkers). Compiled by Diane Booker
Road Walking
  • Stay Safe! Think like a motorist.
  • Use footpath or verge if provided.
  • Face oncoming traffic.
  • Walk in single file. (Even on minor roads!)
  • It may be safer to cross the road well before a sharp right-hand bend so that oncoming traffic can see you. Cross back after the bend.
  • Follow the leader and cross where the leader crosses-do not fan out across the road.
Organised Walks 
  • Try to keep behind the leader.
  • Leader and back marker should wear a fluorescent vest and/or rucksack cover-Be Safe, Be Seen.
  • If a vehicle is passing on a narrow lane, all walkers should move to the same side of the road (less risk of being hit by a wing mirror).
  • When crossing a busy road, the leader should wait until the whole group are safely across before moving off.
  • Wait at a junction or fork in the track until the next walker arrives so that no-one gets lost or left behind. Alert the leader if the group is becoming too spread out.
  • When walking in National Parks, try to stay on the official path, even if it is a bit muddy. Diversions can cause erosion.
Walking on Farmland
  • Don’t feed livestock or wildlife-your lunch is for human consumption only.
  • If you have to climb over a gate, climb next to the hinge to avoid straining the gatepost.
  • If the route involves walking through a crop, walk in single file-the crop is someone’s livelihood. (Hay is also a crop and difficult to harvest if it has been flattened).
  • When crossing a field containing livestock, cross as a group-there is safety in numbers. Try not to separate a herd and never pass between a cow and her calf.
  • If you think that an animal may be ill or in distress, inform the farmer. Animals (usually sheep) trapped in fencing can sometimes be freed, but a panicking animal can be dangerous and best dealt with by professionals. 
  • Leave gates as you find them-open or shut.
Litter
  • Take only memories-Leave only footprints.
  • Banana skins and orange peel etc. are litter! If you would not leave it in the middle of your manicured lawn, take it home and compost it!
Biosecurity 
  • On returning from a walk (especially in woodland and fields with livestock), clean the mud from your boots including the soles and allow to dry. Ideally treat the soles with dilute disinfectant. March 2018
In Case of Emergency (ICE) cards are being sent out with  membership cards. Please write down the details of the person you would like to be informed in the event of an accident, and carry them with you on U3A walks.
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