Updates on COVID-19
You may have heard the recent announcement from the UK government that from the 14 September social gatherings of more than six people will be banned in England – although there are some exemptions. The Ramblers group walks are one of those exemptions.
We’re happy to confirm that Ramblers group walks in England will continue to run, for up to 30 people (or less should your group or walk-leader set a lower limit), whilst following our guidance to keep walks safe and COVID-secure.
Why does the “rule of six” not apply to the Ramblers group walks?
Ramblers and Walking for Health organised group walks are categorised as ‘outdoor physical activity events’. These are exempt from the latest restrictions, as we have already met the protocols, and put extra measures in place to reduce the risks of COVID-19.
Advice from the Ramblers Association issued on 10th September 2020
The UK government has announced that from 14 September social gatherings of more than 6 people will be banned in England – although there are some exemptions. The Ramblers organised walks are one of those exemptions. We are very happy to confirm that Ramblers groups can continue to organise led walks for up to 30 people, as long as they follow the guidance to restart group walks in a COVID-secure way.
Remember, there is no pressure to restart groups walks until you feel ready to do so.
Why does the “rule of six” not apply to the Ramblers group walks?
Ramblers and Walking for Health organised group walks are categorised as ‘outdoor physical activity events’. These are exempt from the latest restrictions, as we have already met the protocols, and put extra measures in place to reduce the risks of COVID-19.
Sport England have shared this update from the government:
We know that this change will prompt questions in your groups, areas and from the public. Please use this information to support and explain why Ramblers’ organised group walks can take place.
Please do reassure everyone, and continue to visit the RA website or Assemble for the latest updates.
We’re following government guidelines closely and will be in touch to update you if things change. If you still have questions please check the information on the website before getting in touch with the team.
Thank you for your enthusiasm and for working together during this time. We hope to see you on a walk soon.
Rachael Bayley
Director of RA operations & volunteering
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Previous Advice from the Ramblers Association issued on 24th August 2020
From 24th August, group walks of up to 30 people can begin again in England – subject to following the latest government guidelines. Beachy Head Ramblers will be restricting their groups to 15. You will need to secure a place on future walks by contacting (preferably by a text) the Walk Leader. Hopefully the situation will continue to improve and larger groups will be permitted in the near future.
Please understand it may well take a little time to interpret and implement these guidelines and then organise and publish our group walks. Currently there are 2 walks scheduled in September – follow link to walks programme for details
For further advice from the Ramblers Association please follow the link below:
https://www.ramblers.org.uk/volunteer-zone/coronavirus.aspx
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Previous advice from the Ramblers Association issued on Friday 30th July 2020
‘Group walks of up to 30 people can restart from today in England & Wales’
However there are extensive new Health & Safety Covid-related procedures set in place by the Ramblers Association which our group will obviously have to comply with, so it will be a little while yet before our group walks will recommence.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From Wednesday 1st July, small group walks can resume in England – subject to following the latest government guidelines, which define a small group as ‘limited to a maximum of 6 people in total. This means the walk leader, plus 5 other walkers.’
As Beachy Head Ramblers walking groups are normally considerably larger than 6, we will not be organising any group walks just yet. Hopefully the situation will continue to improve and larger groups will be permitted in the near future.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Previous advice from the Ramblers Association published on 9th June 2020:
‘At this stage, all Ramblers group walks remain suspended until further notice We are working on guidance to reintroduce walks and other group activities in a way which is safe and responsible. We will continue to work with our groups . In the meantime you can recce routes to get ready for when group walks can restart – subject to the latest government guidelines.’
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BHR Facebook Page.[/caption
Committee
Chair:
Colin Wharton
Secretary:
Elaine Saunders
Membership Secretary:
Sue Tomkins
Treasurer:
Peter Clinch
Newsletter Editor:
Alan Hibbert
Social Secretary:
David Fry
Walks Programme Coordinator:
Peter Slepokura
Evening Walks Coordinator:
Lucie Thornycroft
Ramblers Worldwide Holidays
The Walking Partnership
Our group has ‘earned’ commission from Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. This is a scheme where every time a member of our group books a holiday with Ramblers WWH a contribution is given to the funding of our group. £10 per person for a UK holiday, £20 for every short haul and £30 for every long haul holiday. Please mention that you belong to BH ramblers if you make any bookings.