GENERAL INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS

‘The aim of Southport Fell Walking Club is the promotion of fell walking and the enjoyment of the countryside.’

We walk on the high fells and expect that prospective members are reasonably fit and active.

New members would normally be expected to be able to walk 10 miles and climb 2,000ft of ascent.

The Club visits the Lake District, Wales, Yorkshire Dales and the Peak District. Transport is by coach and members are picked up at certain points on the journey. When going north we leave Formby at 7.30am and when going south we start at Tarleton at 7.30am.

During the summer months we depart for home at 5.30pm and 5.00pm during the winter.

Leaders are requested to email their intended route to the secretary by 5pm Thursday at the very latest, prior to the Sunday walk. On the Friday, all members who have booked on the walk will receive an email with all those routes. This will enable members to choose their walk before the Sunday outing, please remember the name of the leader. A copy of the email with those routes will be printed and brought on the coach; there is no need for leaders to bring a written card.

Your choice of walk will be taken when boarding the coach by the transport secretary. Private groups MUST bring a copy of their route and hand it to the transport secretary when boarding the coach. New members are encouraged to consult the leader and/or other members regarding their choice of walk.

Members can walk on their own, but this is restricted to established members who have extensive fell-walking experience and have demonstrated good navigation skills.

Members walking on their own or in a private party must inform the Transport Secretary of their intentions with a route card and in case of emergency solo walkers should carry a small Identification Card which is available from the Transport Secretary. (The Committee have the right to request a change of route for reasons of safety if they judge fit.)

Leaders can limit the numbers they intend to lead and use their discretion as to the individuals making up their party, having regard to the grading of the walk, conditions and capability of the intending participants. Leaders will normally give reasons for the exclusions and it should be appreciated that any exclusions are in the members’ own interest and safety.

Club outings are arranged fortnightly throughout the year; club weekends are also organised.Information is on the club card or shown on the Blog or web site:

https://southportfellwalkingclubnew.blogspot.com

http://www.southportfellwalkingclub.org.uk

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP
Membership is open to all persons interested in the aims of the club. We wish to encourage fit and active people, who are interested in fell walking and if you need any further information, or if you wish to apply for membership then please contact the Membership Secretary Ian Eckersley (01704 808635) or the Transport Secretary Stuart Gawne (01704 840777).
The Membership Secretary will send out an application form, which must be fully completed and returned before any booking can be made.

Prospective members have to undertake 2 walks before they can be considered for membership.
Annual subscription is £15 and is payable from the 1st September. The fee must be paid by the AGM at the end of October. Anyone joining after the end of May the fee is discounted to £10.

CHILDREN
Children above the age of 10 to 16 are allowed on the coach when accompanied by a parent or guardian who will be responsible for the conduct and well being of the child throughout the day. Young persons aged 17-18 must have written consent from their Parent or Guardian.
(Child Protection Legislation)

To comply with our insurance terms, members must read our Risk Assessment and Guide to Safety (Members) which are available on the Club website.

ADDITIONAL PRACTICAL INFORMATION

CLOTHING
Conditions on the fells are usually in sharp contrast to those in the valley. Walking the fells in a T- shirt and shorts is fine and very enjoyable, but the weather can change very rapidly. Warmer clothing should always be carried.

The following items are essential:

Walking trousers (not denim). Convertible trousers are good for summer.
Waterproof over-trousers
Thermal base layer.
Fleece jacket (better than a pullover)
Windproof waterproof and breathable jacket – (ordinary cheap waterproofs are inadequate,
but there is no need to purchase top of the range ‘technical’ clothing.)
Gloves- for winter, mitts or very warm gloves. In summer light fleece gloves are useful.
Socks - woollen.
Hat or balaclava - woollen or fleece lined fabric hat. In the summer a sunhat is adequate.
Boots – in summer lightweight boots are adequate. In winter, heavier boots are better in order to keep the feet warm and provide a more effective grip.
Survival bag in case of accidents especially in cold conditions.
A change of clothes and shoes will be needed but should be left on the coach. These will be necessary should a wet walk be experienced. Clean shoes must be put on before boarding the coach after walks and boots must be bagged.

EQUIPMENT

Rucksack – Well-fitted 30-40 litres is an adequate day sack.
Torch: whistle (non magnetic)
Packed lunch and drinks
Spare emergency food
First aid kit - useful
Compass and maps – useful but not essential on led walks.
If going above the snowline in winter, these guidelines should be followed:
Ice axe - a long walking axe is needed, not a short technical climbing axe.

Crampons and appropriate boots
Walking boots and crampons are graded for compatibility. Boots are graded from B0 to B3 and crampons from C1 to C3 as follows:
B0 - these are the commonest type of boot, which are too flexible to be usable with any types of crampon. They should only be used below the snowline.
B1 - these are slightly more rigid boots, which will accept flexible crampons, graded as C1. This combination should be adequate for nearly all normal fell-walking above the snowline in the UK. Crampons come with varying numbers of spikes - 10 is usually enough for normal winter walking, but if you might progress to steeper slopes then consider buying 12-point crampons. Many have anti-balling plates fitted and these are very effective at preventing snow build-up so are well worth having.
B2 - these are stiffer than B1, and will take either C1 or the articulated C2 crampons. Used for more severe winter conditions.
B3 - these are rigid, high-altitude boots, which will take C1 or C2 or the rigid C3 step-in crampons. Used in the most extreme conditions on the highest mountains.

All the above items of clothing and equipment are essential in order to enjoy the hills in safety. The Committee feels justified in asking for all of the above requirements to be met, because without them, your safety and the safety of others could be put at risk.

Out of respect for the members’ comfort and safety, dirty boots, ice axes, crampons and bulky gear are not allowed on the coach and should be stowed in the lockers. Any wet gear should be sensibly contained and stored to avoid discomfort to others.
For safety reasons the gangway must be kept clear at all times

Dogs or radios are not allowed on the walks.

COACH BOOKING PROCEDURE

Coach Fare is £17 and all seats booked, must be paid for. Bookings may be made on the coach for the next walk or from 9.00am the following day on the landline only. Strictly no bookings or cancellations will be taken by email or text. No calls after 7pm please unless it is on the Saturday evening before the walk to cancel for the Sunday. The Transport Secretary operates a waiting list with priority given to members unable to get on the coach on the previous walk. Priority is also given to existing members over first time walkers.

The preferred method of payment is by bank transfer. Bank details will be given by the club secretary. We will still accept cheques or the correct cash on the coach.
If the bank transfer method is chosen, you are required to pay within 48 hours of booking.
When booking after the Wednesday of the second week we will require immediate payment.
Bookings after 4pm on the Friday before the walk will need to be cheque or cash on the coach.

GDPR
We take your privacy seriously and will only use your personal information to administer the management of your membership.

The data we hold was provided by you and is held securely. It is used solely for the purpose of the management of Southport Fell Walking Club, including its operational needs, and is not declared to any other organisation, person or third party not directly connected with the running of the Club.

From time to time we may contact you through any of the mediums of post, telephone or email. Email is the preferred method of communication and email addresses are restricted in circulation to those with management responsibilities within the Club.

Revised by Committee June 2024 (E. J Gawne – Secretary)