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The Birds and Wildlife group is starting as a 'visits' group. We'll be going to sites both on and off the island. The initial programme covers both flora and fauna. Some visits will be dependent on tides or similar factors so we will not be sticking to a fixed day in the month or a fixed time. Also there is scope for some 'ad hoc' events - for example: if someone spots the bee orchids are out on the common. Finally, if weather forecast is poor, we will postpone or cancel the visit.

So, if you are interested, make sure you are on the group's membership list so you get email notification of events, sightings postponements and cancellations. To find out if you are on the list, log in to the members' area then, if you see a 'Membership list' link at the top of this page, you are on the list. If not, ask Andy Henderson to add you to the list.

You do not, however, have to be on the membership list to attend one of the visits. Instead, they will be open to all members unless circumstances dictate limited numbers - in which case booking will be on a 'first-come, first served' basis.

Where possible, visits will be accessible to members with mobility issues but some visits will require walking some distance possibly over rough terrain. The description of each visit will address accessibility.

The intention is that we will travel to visits on the island independently. If you would like a lift to a site, get in touch with Andy and he will try to arrange something for you.

When we go off the island, we will arrange to car-share. Members of the Walking group will be familiar with the arrangement. We will meet in the West Town car-park off Station Road and decide how best to use the available cars and drivers to get to our destination, and back. Alternatively, you might prefer to go direct.

We take short, undemanding walks that we try to incorporate coffee/snack.

Any member is welcome to join us, you don't have to book in advance. However, if you let the organisers know you are planning to join a walk, they can look out for you at the start, and contact you if the walk has to be cancelled for any reason.

You can either travel direct to the start point, or you can share a car leaving from the station road car park near the community centre.

Enjoy the opportunity to walk with others, both for company and support. Learn of unsuspected areas with experienced leaders. Share your favourite walks.

We usually walk on the morning of the 4^th Monday of the month (longer walks usually the 1^st Friday). There is no limit on membership of the walking group and no fees although we recommend a £2 contribution to the driver when you accept a car share.

We usually meet at the public car park next to Station Road (where the public toilets are) around 9:00am where we arrange car sharing. This cuts both the travel cost and reduces the number of vehicles at the start of the walk.

We create a walks plan at the beginning of the year, with the name of the person that has volunteered to lead the walk. Walks are usually circular - they begin and end at the same point - but we have on a few occasions used bus passes to return to the cars.

Longer walks are arranged as the year progresses. Because they involve fewer members, planning can be more flexible.

We send email details of each walk around 2 weeks in advance to everyone on our distribution list. Details of the walk logistics such as who will drive which passengers and whether lunch needs to be ordered at the walk start are circulated to those joining the walk 2 or 3 days before the walk date.

It is usual that the walk leader checks out the state of the walk for obstructions and difficult ground before the walk, and we can always assist a walk leader in their reconnaissance if they would like help.

If you are thinking of joining a walk, please study the walk description in advance and check that it appears to be within your health and fitness levels. Please also be prepared by wearing footwear (for most walks, that means specialist walking boots) and clothing appropriate for the ground conditions and the worst weather which could occur during the walk.

During the walk we have a stop to gather breath and to take whatever snack and drink you bring.

At the end of the walk some will go to rehydrate, take lunch and socialise at a local hostelry, but it's not compulsory. A key role of the walk leader is to make sure that such a hostelry exists close to the walk and that it will nourish the inner person on a Monday.

The group has a number of 1:25,000 maps you can borrow to investigate possible routes. We also hold a collection of booklets describing walks available within an hour's drive of Hayling.

You can see details - including route maps - of most of the walks we've organised since September 2015 here.

You can use these resources as the basis for a future organised walk, or you're welcome to use them for your own walks with friends or relatives.

Trish Farnham and Andy Henderson often cycle to the walks. Let them know if you'd like to join them.

The cycling group arranges social rides on the first Tuesday of each month. Any member can join our rides.

The rides are relatively short - two to three hours - and involve a stop for coffee/tea and cake or a light lunch (or what you fancy). The rides are not fast and, in any case, go at the pace of the slowest rider.

We use quiet lanes where we can, but cannot avoid roads altogether. You should therefore be confident riding in traffic.

Street-legal electric bikes are welcome - several members already use them.

Find out more about what you need on one of our rides.

We usually discuss destinations in the week before the ride in the Cycling group forum. Rides usually start from HIADS at 10am but occasionally start at the ferry - please check with the Cycling group forum before joining a ride.

If the weather's bad we will postpone. Please check the forum before joining a ride, or ask to join our email list.