The target distance for this group is approximately 5 miles, off road as much as possible, inevitably involving some stiles and squeezes, ascents & descents (though generally not too steep), & often over infrequently used & unfamiliar routes. A reasonable level of fitness is required as is suitable off road footwear with an adequate grip & (usually) waterproof clothing. Also desirable is a bottle of water, a small first aid kit and walking stick(s).
The Wednesday U3A Walking group will always endeavour to follow the National Countryside Code also the National Trails - Countryside Code, and Walking with Livestock National Trails - Care with Livestock at all times.
We will always be aware of our Right or Way when accessing private and public land.
If you wish to participate in our walks, you will be very welcome. Fairly early each month, the Group Leader will publish details on this website Events page of any proposed future walks for the subsequent month or so. These details are set out in the links to this page. Our walks take place fortnightly except perhaps over the Xmas & New Year holiday, & are always on a Wednesday in the morning.
We meet at the western end of the car park at Waterside Retail Park opposite Homebase in order to share cars to the starting point for the walk, which is usually within a radius of 15 miles or so from Ashbourne.
We depart from Waterside promptly at 9.30am so that we can commence walking at approximately 10am (depending upon the location of the starting point). We try always to end at or near a pub, & most (but not all) walkers stay on for a lunch time meal or snack.
Walks are very casual & on the basis that each person tries to take care of him/herself. We do however have a courtesy rule that an able-bodied walker goes over stiles first to assist less able.
During the walk we are encouraged to take photographs for the u3a Facebook and Website pages. Anyone who wishes not to have their photo taken for this purpose please inform the walk leader before the start. Also there is usually a shout to the group before any photo is taken so there is opportunity to turn away.
Several other members volunteer to lead a walk when the Group Leader is unable to do so, but the Group Leader will always coordinate the publication of the programme with proposals made by the volunteer walk leader.
The walk leader may not be familiar with the walk or sections of it, not necessarily having done it beforehand. They are often not walks described in any publication, having instead been devised by the leader by plotting from the OS map. In consequence, occasionally navigational problems, unexpected hazards or livestock can be encountered. The attitude of the group is to cooperate together to overcome them.
If the number walking is large, a "sweeper" will be appointed to remain at the rear with the intention of keeping the group reasonably together. Possibly, if the group is very large, a marshal will be nominated to remain in the middle of the group. Please co-operate with instructions given by the leader, sweeper & any such marshal.
Well behaved dogs are welcome but the owner must take full responsibility for the control of the dog, especially bearing in mind we do encounter livestock. The owner will also need to be able to frequently lift the dog over stiles.
Listen to the Podcast by Derbyshire Dales Health Walks coordinator Helen Milton talks to Cattle Farmer Henry Holland about how walkers can stay safer around cows.
Although not usually essential, it does assist the organisation of the walk if you email the leader of the walk in advance to notify him/her:-
(A) that, subject to unforeseen circumstances, you hope to walk even if you do not intend to stay for lunch
(B) if you intend to stay for lunch, your menu choice, so that the organiser can inform the pub of likely numbers and menu choices.
(C) if you are likely to go direct to the starting point of the walk rather than Car Share from the Waterside Retail Park.
Please check the precise arrangements on this webpage relating to the walk in which you wish to participate.
In any event it is recommended that you check the details again on this website within the 48 hours or so before the date of the walk, in case there are any revised details.
In particular, we try to place the lunch food order with the pub before starting the walk, & so it expedites the placing of that order if you have decided what you wish to eat before arrival at the starting point for the walk. If feasible, the Pub's Menu will be published as a Link to this webpage at least 48 hours before the date of the walk. Some pubs limit the number to whom they can serve lunch. Any such limit & action required by those intending to walk is set out in the details of that particular walk.
If the weather becomes very bad on the morning of a proposed walk, check this website in case at the last minute a notice is published to cancel the walk. This has happened only about five occasions so far in more than 15 years.
If & when you decide you wish to walk with the group either regularly or occasionally, please notify the Walking Group Leader by email so that your name can be added to the list of those members to whom it is sometimes necessary to circulate an email. It will not become known to other members without your consent.
U3A Walking Group Leader: Ian Jones Tel: 01335 300992 or Email via the Blue Envelope Click to send a message link on the main Walking page.