BAHR Sunday Walking Group

Welcome to the BAHR (Brighton and Hove Ramblers) Sunday (and summer Wednesday evenings) walking group. We are a friendly and inclusive walking group based in Brighton and Hove. Our members are mainly in their 30's, 40's and 50's. The walks we publish usually range anything from 6 to 15 miles in length and cover the attractive countryside of East and West Sussex, particularly the areas around the South Downs, and less frequently, the High Weald or Ashdown Forest.

Why not try walking with us? We don't ask you to pay to join us on your first three walks, although it is essential to have a confirmed RSVP before coming along to our Meetups. Afterwards, in order to continue walking with our group, you must become a paid-up member of the Ramblers. The cost of membership is very reasonable and it also includes other benefits. Please then bring your membership card with you on our walks.

There are regularly between ten and thirty people on our walks, which take place every Sunday throughout the year, and often on Wednesday evenings during the lighter summer months. We like to provide a choice of two Sunday walks in different locations whenever possible. Various styles and types of walks are offered by our leaders. Full details for the current period are given in the walks programme. Contact the named leader directly if you have any questions about a particular walk.

Many of our walks can be reached by bus or train from Brighton and do not require the use of cars. All walks with a public transport option can be found by going to the walks programme and checking the 'no car needed' box under the 'Suitability' tab.

Before setting out on your journey, you should always look at the Meetup comments for the walk event, and also our online walks programme to see if there are any last minute changes to a particular walk. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are on time and ready for the start of the walk. Remember that postcodes are not always accurate, especially in rural areas. It is therefore important to check the starting location indicated on the map shown in the online walks programme, as well as noting any specific directions.

As for what equipment to bring: suitable footwear, such as walking boots or walking shoes, something to keep you dry if it rains and something to keep you warm when it is cold. Please ensure you carry an emergency contact card- who should we contact if you are injured on a walk. If you have medical condition, please make the walk leader aware. It is a good idea to bring some basic first aid such as plasters.

We always recommend bringing a packed lunch. Some walks are picnic only and this is stated in the walk description. It is important that members do not consume their own picnic lunches in pub gardens unless the landlord has granted permission.

Please be aware that all walk leaders are volunteers. They have to fulfil certain conditions to be covered by Rambler's Public Liability insurance, but do not have to be first aid trained.

For more information, please take a look at our main BAHR website (also shared with the BAHR all ages group, whose members are predominantly retired and walk on Thursdays and Saturdays). Alternatively, contact our group representative with any general enquiries. A photo is necessary when joining our group on Meetup and anonymous names are not permitted, unless you are already a paid-up member of the Ramblers and can provide us with your membership number.

GRADING OF WALKS
•  ‘L’ LEISURELY WALKS for reasonably fit people with at least a little country walking experience. May include un-surfaced rural paths. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are recommended. May include a few short ascents and descents.
•  ‘M’ MODERATE WALKS for people with country walking experience and a good level of fitness. May include some steep paths and open country or could be more than 9 miles in length. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are essential.

It should be noted that we rarely have an official backmarker, so the onus is on you to always keep sight of another member of the group in front. The walk leader's concentration will mainly be on the route ahead, which can be sometimes be complex, so they may not be fully aware of everything happening behind them. Do call out if you need to draw attention anything specific. We also suggest that you make a note of their mobile phone number for possible use if an emergency arises during the walk, although network signals are still poor in many local areas. You will find individual contact numbers in the walks programme.

DOGS
With the exception of Registered Assistance dogs (eg guide dogs), dogs will only be welcome on walks with the express permission of the individual walk leader, whose decision is final. Walkers are expected to adhere to the Ramblers Association Dog walking https://cdn.ramblers.org.uk/media/files/radogwalkingcode.pdf
To avoid any confusion, walkers bringing dogs must always check beforehand with the walk leader, unless a particular walk is already listed in the walks programme as being 'dog friendly'. These walks can easily be identified by checking the filter under the 'suitability' tab. All dogs should be closely controlled, kept on a lead where appropriate, and should not alarm other walkers.

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The Brighton and Hove Group of The Ramblers and its leaders accept no responsibility for any claims arising from the activities of the group. All walk leaders must be fully paid-up members of the Ramblers Association. All sporting and leisure activities have inherent hazards associated with them and rambling is no exception. In spite of the safety of members being the paramount concern, accidents will occasionally occur. It is important, therefore, that when entering into the activity, each member appreciates that they have a responsibility to identify the hazards and take all reasonable steps to eliminate or minimise the potential for an accident to arise.

For more information about the Ramblers' Association, see the Ramblers website.

The Ramblers’ Association is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Company registration number: 4458492. Registered Charity in England and Wales number: 1093577, Scotland no. SC039799. Registered office: 2nd floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW.