Walking

Availability: Any member can attend

Group leader: Richard North - Contact Richard


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 4th Monday of the month (longer walks usually the 1st 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.

WalkingGroup2We 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.

WalkingGroup1At 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 walking group holds a small quantity of Hi-Vis jerkins for when we need to use roads between footpaths. The group has a number of 1:25,000 (1 inch to 2½ miles) maps for use to investigate possible routes. We also hold a collection of booklets describing walks around various a such as; East Meon; Chichester; Winchester; West Meon; Hambledon.

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.