CLUB POLICY AND INFORMATION SHEET

(Revised with effect from 5 March 2024)

Coach pick-up points and times are :-

1.    Promenade (by Saunders Street), Southport    7.30
2. Ainsdale Library    7.40
3. The Grapes. Freshfield    7.50
4. The Grapes, Thornton    8.00
Everyone gets on and off at these designated pick-up points.
The leaving time of the coach for the return journey will be announced on the coach prior to the start of the walks.
There are usually public toilets at the start of walks. When this is not the case the coach will make a toilet stop on the way. Exceptionally, if there is no feasible toilet stop, there will be a warning note on the "Next walk" web page. There will always be a toilet stop on the return journey.
Toilet stops should not be used to buy snacks or drinks etc.

Lost Property
If you think you have left something on the coach, please make contact directly with the coach operator Timewell's Travel on 0151 526 3209 (9 to 5 Monday to Friday).
    Booking, paying, cancelling...
  1. Bookings for a walk will open on the coach on the day of the previous walk, using a form circulated on the coach. Members not on the coach can book a coach place for the next walk by emailing booking organiser John Armstrong john@jsauk.co.uk from 4pm on the previous walk day (or by text or phone to 07831463362). Note that informal verbal bookings will not be accepted.

    Places will be assigned first to members booking on the coach, then to members booking by email, text or phone (if necessary in order of their request)
    After this date requests can be made from members and non members on an equal footing, and will be assigned available places in order of their request.

    After 2 weeks those in reserve can be given a place starting with the top of the list. If the coach is full the reserves list will be maintained and places will be given on a first come first served basis. At this time members will not be given priority over non-members.

    Members who fail to get on a walk they requested will be prioritised to the top of the list of non-coach bookings on the next walk they wish to join.

  2. The coach fare of £16 is payable preferably by BACS (The Freshfield Ramblers, Sort Code 40 42 30, Acc No 71738062. Give the walk destination as reference.) Payment can also be made on the coach in cash.

  3. If you wish to cancel this must be done by informing the booking organiser using the contact details given above by 10 pm on the Sunday prior to the walk, otherwise a cancellation fee of £16 is payable .

  4. If you opt to travel to the walk by alternative means, a charge of £8 per person is made unless the coach is full.

  5. Non-members are welcome to join us as guests but will be restricted to two walks in any insurance year, which is from 1st March. The coach fare for guests is also £16. Non-members cannot be booked on a walk until 14 days prior to the date of the walk. See next section for further details.

  6. Membership...
  7. Membership is open to anyone aged 18 and over. Prospective members must come on one walk as a guest before joining. Please contact Alan O'Leary on (07759 330508). The joining fee is £15 which includes membership to 31st October. The annual subscription is £15.

  8. Before an individual’s first walk with Freshfield Ramblers a damages/injury disclaimer must be signed.

  9. Walk programme ...
  10. Walks take place once a month on a Sunday and on each occasion there will be three or four walks of varying length and difficulty. Details of the walks will be circulated on the coach, and will usually be posted on the website a few days in advance.

  11. Each year there is (usually) a hotel based walking weekend. In addition, depending on interest, weekends based in cheaper bunkhouse accomodation may also be arranged.

  12. Volunteer walk leaders welcome and anyone interested should contact Walk Organiser Derek Hesketh on 01704 201392

    What to bring...
  13. Walking boots and waterproofs are essential on all walks and at most times of the year extra gear is advisable - hat, gloves, fleece or sweater. Attached is a sheet giving detailed advice regarding equipment. In case of bad weather, a change of clothes should be brought, which can be left on the coach. A change of footwear is essential. A packed lunch and water is also required.

Last updated March 2024