ARROW VALLEY COUNTRYSIDE GROUP

WHO ARE WE?

We are a lively, local, independent walking club, founded in 1953, based in the Arrow Valley, Worcestershire, with a membership of 70, mainly from The Redditch, Bromsgrove and South Birmingham areas

• We normally walk in Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire and Shropshire
• As well as 3 Sunday walks a month (2 from 7-10 miles and 1 from 4-6 miles) we also have a social programme
• We hold an evening meeting once a month. Typically there will be 6 outside speakers a year (generally on countryside topics) and 6 ‘home grown’ evenings
• Most months we will add a theatre trip, a visit to a restaurant, or in summer an evening stroll to a pub
• At least once a year we organise a long walking weekend in a scenic location
• In recent years we have completed several long distance footpaths such as the Worcestershire Way and the Wychavon Way, using coaches to get to beginnings and ends of stages. We also walked the Coast to Coast, in 6 weekends, and only took 6 years to do it!
• in 2005/2006 our long distance walk was the Three Choirs Way, roughly Gloucester to Hereford to Worcester to Gloucester
• For 2009 we are not doing a long distance walk but hope to do about three ‘Coach Walks’ but see the bulletin board for up to date details as they become available
• Visitors and potential members are most welcome to join us for 2 walks or other events, with absolutely no obligation to join.

ADVICE FOR WALKS

We aim to be as free and easy as possible on our rambles, and generally go at a steady pace so that everyone can enjoy the countryside. The usual number taking part in our walks is 20 – 25, although numbers can vary more widely. We have a leader and a back marker on all walks, so it helps if no-one gets in front of the leader, or behind the back marker!

Food and Drink

It is recommended that you bring a packed lunch on full day rambles. The leader will normally try to make arrangements in advance with a Public House for a lunch time visit, where it may be possible to buy food, but this cannot be guaranteed. Sometimes the Publican allows members to eat their packed lunches there (usually in the garden), in which case members are expected to repay his/her hospitality by buying a drink.

Members should remove muddy boots and leave them outside where appropriate. Occasionally there is no suitable Public House available and members are asked to bring drinks for lunch.

Boots & Clothing

Boots are not essential, but strong, comfortable waterproof footwear should be worn. Waterproof outer clothing is essential; jacket and trousers are recommended, alternatively a cape or mac.

Dogs

Please note that owing to previous problems members’ dogs are not allowed on rambles.

Insurance

Club membership has the benefit of third party insurance cover in most circumstances, but this does not extend to personal loss or injury to members.

MEMBERSHIP

The annual subscription, which covers membership from the date of payment until 30th September next, is at present just £10.00 per person. There is also an entrance fee of £1.50 for monthly meetings (Includes Tea or Coffee and Biscuits). Fees are reviewed yearly at the AGM The Treasurer is responsible for collecting the subscriptions.

A full printed programme is published four times a year covering events for the ensuing three months.  Our programme is also regularly updated on this website. A copy may be obtained (without obligation) by providing your name and postal address to:- Hilary Pitt on 01527 402085

Who Organises the group

The Group is run by a Committee elected annually at the AGM in September/October

The present elected members of the Group are as below

Chairperson Dave Donovan 0121 624 2305

Treasurer Rob Rhodes 01527 546708

Ramble Secretary Pat Howlett 01527 404092

Minutes Secretary Pat Hodgkinson 01527 402998

Programme Secretary Hilary Pitt 01527 402085

Webmaster Keith Christie 0121 471 1392

Website http://www.avcg.co.uk/index.html