🚶🏻🌳 Social Walk & Drinks 🍻😃

Important information: ⚠️

• This event is weather dependent
• Arriving late will lead to members having to catch the rest of us up.
• The total distance walked for this event will be roughly 3 miles.
• Guests must be aged 18 or over.

What to expect: 🤔
Join us for a relaxed weekend stroll along the River Thames. We will walk through Abbey Meadows, along the river Thames, crossing at Abingdon lock. We will continue followed by a well-earned drink at a local pub in the town centre.

The walk will mostly be flat paths, with the latter part of the walk involving walking along grass fields. depending on recent weather, there is a slight chance the latter part of the walk may be a little muddy. Comfortable walking shoes or trainers are recommended.

We will complete the walk in Abingdon Town Centre, dropping into a local pub garden/lounge for drinks and more socialising.

The conversation doesn't have to end when the event does. If you find yourself wanting to arrange follow-up gatherings, outings, or themed meetups, our WhatsApp community is the place to do it. It is the go-to spot for members to propose new ideas and stay in touch between events.

The plan: 💪🏻

• 2 PM - We will meet on Abbey Close, just outside St Nicolas Church.
• 2:10 PM - We will begin our walk through Abbey Meadows and along the River Thames.
• 3 PM - We will return to the Abingdon Town Centre, where we will find a pub to stop at for drinks.
• 4 PM - The event will come to a close.

All times are a rough guidance for this event.

Q&A 👀
Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions relating to this event:

What makes the Abingdon Social Circle unique to other social events? ⭕
Our community is built on a social model rather than a profit-driven one. We aren’t interested in making grand, exaggerated claims about being the "biggest or best" in Abingdon just to inflate our numbers for a profit; instead, our genuine goal is to help residents across Oxfordshire build authentic social lives through our dedicated WhatsApp community. While we maintain firmer boundaries than other groups, these are intentionally designed to prioritise safety and transparency. By requiring recognisable profile photos and insisting on accurate RSVP updates, we actively discourage "troublesome" individuals and significantly decrease the frustration of an inaccurate number of attendees.

I'm new and feel anxious. Is this group not right for me? 😨
Attending for the first time is pushing you out of your comfort zone, so it is normal to feel anxious on your first occasion. We always have a mixture of new and old faces. Regulars are very welcoming and it takes only 2-4 events for most members to feel settled in. My advice is to give it a shot and reflect afterwards if the event is right for you.

Why is it important members update their RSVP (and not gatecrash)? ✅
Keeping your RSVP status up to date is about being a respectful member of the community. "No-showing" or showing up unannounced creates several issues:

• Venue Limits: We risk overcrowding a venue, which can lead to safety hazards or members being turned away at the door.
• Financial Impact: Some venues can charge us booking fees or require minimum spends based on our expected numbers. If people don’t show up, the event organiser may face unnecessary costs.
• Setting Expectations: Accurate numbers help other members know what kind of atmosphere to expect (e.g., a quiet get together vs. a large party).
• Basic Courtesy: It is simply polite. Think of it this way: how would you feel if you arranged to meet friends, and they didn't show up without letting you know?

How will I find you? 🧐
To find us on the day, simply check the events comments section for a description of where we are located and what the organiser is wearing. In addition, we will also post a link to a WhatsApp group in the comments the day before the event. It is highly recommended that you join this, as we will be sharing a live location tracker there to show you exactly where we are at all times. Please note that once the event kicks off, we’ll only be answering questions through that WhatsApp group.

Will I require hiking equipment? 🥾
As part of the walk does involve walking across a grass field, it is recommended you wear a decent pair of trainers at the very least. However, as it is the summer months, it is highly unlikely to require boots specifically for hiking.

Can I bring my pet dog with me? 🐕
You're welcome to bring your dog on the walk. We just ask that you take full responsibility for them and any issues that might arise.

We live in Britain, surely it's going to rain? ☔
If this turns out to be the case, an alternative plan will be posted, likely being socialising in a nearby pub.

Where will I be able to park? 🚗
Whilst it's not impossible to find parking in Oxford, the limited availability, as well as costs, can make parking incredibly challenging. Therefore, we encourage members to use the most convenient public transport available.

Can I bring additional people with me? 👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏽
Yes you can, providing they are aged 18 or over. You are also responsible for any potential problematic behaviours from guests you bring with you. Please put them as +1 when you check-in so we can try and find us enough space.

Why must all members have a recognisable profile photo in the Abingdon Social Circle? 🤳🏻
In the past, we have found that problematic incidents have all involved accounts with fake profiles or no photos.
To keep the Oxford Social Circle a safe space for everyone, we require all members to maintain a clear, recognisable photo of themselves at all times.
We understand that some members may have concerns due to their profession or personal experiences. While we empathise with these situations, we cannot make exceptions. Our responsibility is to ensure the collective safety of the entire group by maintaining a transparent community.

Is this a dating event? 👩‍❤️‍👨
Whilst we recognise and accept that relationships do form in social settings, we ask members to be mindful that this is not an event specifically for dating. Therefore, if your only reason for attending is to find your soulmate, this event will not be the right one for you.

If I sustain an injury during the event, will the organisers provide compensation? 🤕
Because we operate as a community-led group rather than a commercial business, we are unable to provide compensation or insurance coverage for personal injuries. By joining us, members have agreed to take full responsibility for their own health and safety.

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