Contact Us
If you are interested in joining us, send an email to: contact@bebingtonramblingclub.co.uk with details of your name, address and telephone number and we will invite you to join some of our rambles as a guest before being asked to make an application for membership. We have included below some Frequently Asked Questions to help you decide!
FAQs
Who walks with Bebington Rambling Club?
Our membership is open to residents from across the Wirral who enjoy a good weekly walk, sharing friendly conversation and a friendly sense of community en route.
Must I walk every week?
No. Members can choose to walk all, most, or some of the walks in the programme. However, we think you will find a regular weekly walk in the company of other keen ramblers will improve your physical and mental health!
What happens on a Bebington Rambling Club walk?
Walks may start in the Wirral, Cheshire, or North Wales, no further than one hour's drive from Bebington. We initially meet at the Bebington Civic Centre car park around 9.15am each Tuesday, leaving at 9.30am for the walk starting point. A and B walkers car-share to keep our emissions low and to reduce the number of vehicles parking at the beginning of our walks. Lifts can be provided for those without transport.
The A walks typically cover 7-10 miles at a steady pace usually ascending a total height between 150 and 600 metres (500 and 2000 feet). B group walks typically cover 5 - 7 miles at a slower pace than the A walks, with ascents up to 300 metres (1,000ft) and over flatter terrain. In general, B walks start much at the same times as the A walks and take place closer to home.
Walks can take up most of the day, so it is necessary to bring a drink and a packed lunch. We generally aim to be back in Bebington for 3.30pm/4pm but on occasion members agree amongst themselves to avail themselves of suitable refreshments may the opportunity arise at the end of a good day’s walk!
What do I need to take on a walk?
Different walks and seasons can mean different things to put in your backpack on each walk. In addition to a good pair of walking boots, your list might include:
Buff/Scarf/Snood, Emergency bag (plasters, suntan lotion etc), Flask, Lunch, Gaiters, Glasses/Sunglasses, Gloves, Hat (for either hot or cold weather), Head band, Kagoule, Sitting mat, Socks, Walking pole/s, Water bottle, Waterproof trousers, Waterproof cover for your backpack, Hand gel, Cash. We also ask that all walkers carry contact details on a weatherproof card for a next-of-kin/friend to be used in case of emergency, kept in an 'obvious' place in their rucksack.
What do our walkers talk about and do I have to chat all the time?
Our community of walkers enjoy a good chat as we make our way on one of our rambles and find that good conversation is a most enjoyable way to pass away the miles. The numbers we have walking with Bebington Rambling Club each week means that there is always someone to talk to, whether it be sharing thoughts and ideas, or just putting the world to rights. However, there is no pressure to talk - even though we are good listeners - we would respect it should you wish to quietly enjoy the natural sounds of the countryside!
What if I need the toilet on a walk?
Walk Leaders schedule 'Comfort Stops' into the day. In rural areas where amenities do not exist, the group will agree on suitable, less formal, places for a ‘gentlemen forward, ladies back’ call to be made. Don't be embarrassed if you find you need to go more often – the last thing we want is for someone to feel uncomfortable on a walk. Have a quiet word with the Walk Leader (or back marker) so that he or she knows where you are and let them know when you are back.
What happens if there is bad weather?
There is very little that prevents Bebington Rambling Group from their weekly walk, hence we encourage you to have good boots and waterproof clothing to keep you dry and warm in the most challenging of British weather! In the unusual event that the weather makes it impossible to enjoy a good walk, the Walk Leader will decide whether the walk can proceed.
What if I haven't got a car?
We meet at the Bebington Civic Centre car park and car-share to keep our emissions low and to reduce the number of vehicles parking at the beginning of our walks. Although it is handy to have a car so that driving to a destination is shared around members, lifts can be provided for those without transport. There is a Passenger Donation system to fairly compensate the car drivers.
How safe are the walks?
Safety is always our first consideration and Walk Leaders will usually have trialled their walks (completed a ‘recce’) beforehand to check if there are any problems with their planned route and carry out an informal risk assessment. Members should have a small basic First Aid kit in their rucksack and Walk Leaders all carry a more comprehensive First Aid kit. On each walk members will take turns to volunteer to be a 'back marker' to make sure that no one gets left behind. All walkers must stay within sight of the Walk Leader or back marker.
Any adventure carries an element of risk and members and guests participating in our walks do so entirely at their own risk and accept responsibility for their own safety; neither Club nor individual Walk Leaders or Backmarkers incur any liability. We ask that all walkers carry contact details on a weatherproof card for a next-of-kin/friend to be used in case of emergency, kept in an 'obvious' place in their rucksack.
Can I bring my dog on a walk?
Sorry, but we do not allow dogs, however small, on our walks.
Do I need be able to take or read a map?
No, map-reading is not essential as the Walk Leader will have the necessary maps and be able to navigate. However, it is always useful to be able to read a map and, if you like to have an idea of where you are going and where you have been, you are welcome to bring one along if you wish. There are also several apps available for smart phones that will tell you exactly where you are and how far and feet of ascent/descent you have completed which provide added interest to your walk.
Who leads the walks?
Alhough certainly not compulsory, members are invited to lead two walks each year after their first year of membership. Some may find this a little daunting, but there is plenty of expert help on hand to both plan and trial the walk with you, so there’s really no cause for concern. Indeed, it’s a great way for you to introduce your fellow walkers to your favourite areas!
Yes, I’m interested in Bebington Rambling Club – what do I do next?
If you are interested in walking regularly, we will invite you to join some of our weekly A and B walks as a guest before being asked to make an application for membership. Please email: contact@bebingtonramblingclub.co.uk with details of your name, address, and telephone number. The current membership fee is just £10 per annum.
Bebington Rambling Club’s General Guidelines relating to Walk Programmes
In order that members can choose walks best suited to their abilities, we feel it is important that the description on the walk programme accurately reflects the characteristics of the walk. We hope the following guidelines are helpful.
It may not always be achievable, but the Club’s aim is to have an ‘A Walk’, a ‘B Walk’, and a ‘C Walk’ every week. These walks should, typically, be:
A Walks: 7 to 10 miles, with up to 2000ft approximately (600 metres) of total ascent
B Walks: 5 to 7 miles, with up to 1000ft approximately (300metres) of total ascent
C Walks: 2 to 5 miles, generally flat terrain
We ask for Leaders to be as accurate as possible when providing information on the distance of their walk. To help members decide on a joining a particular walk, we use a range of descriptors for walks, shown below. The distance of the walk should not be a factor in deciding which of the descriptors Leaders use. Any member in doubt about the characteristics of a walk, or needing further information, should not hesitate to telephone the walk leader to seek further information.
Descriptors to be used for walks:
Strenuous
An ‘A’ walk with challenging steep ascents/descents totalling between 1000ft to 2000ft
Undulating
An ‘A’ or ‘B’ walk which has at least two or three steady ascents/descents.
Moderate
An ‘A’ or ‘B’ walk which is generally over level ground (sometimes uneven underfoot) but involves some gradual or very short steep ascents/descents.
Easy
An ‘A’ or ‘B’ walk which is generally over level ground and easy going under foot.
Stilish
Any walk involving numerous stiles – the word stilish being added to one of the previous descriptors.
Use words such as 'Strenuous', 'Undulating', 'Stilish', 'Easy' to define key elements.
Points to Note:
- Whilst there are differences in distance and height, the most significant difference is speed of walking. The B Walk is slower than the A, and the C Walk is at a more gentle pace than the B.
- Meeting Place for the A and B Walks is Bebington Civic Centre, leaving by 0930hrs. Leaders should make directions to the start of the walk available to drivers. If using public transport Walk Leaders should include time, station or bus stop and destination on the Walk Submission Card so these can be indicated on the programme.
- A and B Walks normally commence at 1030hrs. Earlier if local as indicated on the Programme.
- Driving time should normally be no more than 45 minutes; this allows time for boot changing etc. A longer drive up to 1 hour in the summer is acceptable.
- The Leader should aim to finish the walk by about 4.00pm. If a pub car park is used and we are expected to stop for a drink, the walk should finish earlier to accommodate this.
- At the Civic Centre drivers should try to ensure their cars are full.
- Walk Submission Cards will be given out in July for the Winter Programme and in January for the Summer Programme. Cards should be returned to the appropriate Walk Organiser within 4 weeks.
- All A and B Walkers should aim to lead at least 1 walk per programme if we are to achieve a walk a week for everyone. This means couples, and pairs, should put in 2 walks.
Leaders Safety Criteria:
Below are some key points that all Walk Leaders should bear in mind and act upon as appropriate when leading walks.
1) Instructions should always be available for drivers to the start point of the walk.
2) In addition to your own, make sure that you have the Club’s First Aid Kit. Preferably pass it on at the end of the walk.
3) At Bebington Civic Centre efforts should be made to ensure cars are full to ensure minimum inconvenience to other car park users at our destination.
4) Before starting to walk check everyone expected has arrived (It helps if regular walkers are unable to join a particular walk if they let the Leader know that they will not be walking on a particular day).
5) Count numbers before starting walk.
6) Appoint a Back Marker. They can be changed during the walk.
7) Always ensure someone is responsible for shutting any opened field gates.
8) Check back occasionally to ensure there are no stragglers. If necessary, slow the pace.
9) If there are odd hazards, like a tree stump or slippery surface, point it out to everyone.
10) Allow time for people to admire the scenery, pick fruit or look at the wildlife. If there is something of interest stop and tell everyone.
Most importantly, enjoy your walking!