To comply with current u3a insurance requirements the following guidance and advice has been produced to ensure the walks are well run and keep everyone safe.

When participating in our Walking Group walks you are required to bring along the following:

i. A small first aid kit containing such things as plasters, blister plasters, antiseptic wipes and antihistamine cream.

ii. A card with emergency contact details safely tucked inside an inner pocket of a daypack/bumbag/jacket where it can easily be found.

iii. Water or other refreshments.

Appropriate clothing and footwear for country walks

As always on our walks, wear suitable clothing and footwear depending on the season and the weather conditions to protect from rain, cold, strong sunshine and uneven terrain. Walking poles are especially useful in slippery conditions and these are often recommended for winter walking. Individual walk descriptions will advise accordingly.

Walking etiquette

Always stay behind the walk leader unless they ask you to go ahead. It is important that walk leaders be allowed to set the pace and take everyone’s walking speed into account. By overtaking the walk leaders you’re making it harder for them to stay focussed on leading the walk. It’s especially distracting if people overtake and then head off in the wrong direction.

If you’re using walking poles please use them considerately and don’t swing them high up behind you when not in use. Instead, hold them so the pointed ends point in front of you, to avoid colliding with anyone behind you.

Be guided by the walk leader when crossing busy roads. The leader will usually ask everyone to wait until you can all cross safely as a single group.

When walking along a road be careful to stay in single file.

Important note:  Those who participate in the Walking Group walks do so at their own risk and should organise their own accident insurance if required - u3a covers its members for Public Liability only, details of which can be found on the Bristol u3a website.