Dear members,

We have just received some very welcome news from the LDWA National Executive Committee; we are allowed to resume group walks for up to 30 walkers from 29th March, provided there is strict adherence to COVID regulations and guidance and LDWA risk management arrangements. You can read the full email below but the arrangements in Dorset will be as follows:

1. Walks will be on a pre-book basis only and all walks will be advertised on the Dorset LDWA website.

2.  A register will be taken on each walk, recording name and membership number (or name and contact details for guests)

3. Walks can be for up to 30 walkers, but it is the responsibility of the walk leader to ensure the walk can be COVID safe, bearing in mind the type of paths, likelihood of meeting others, and the point of view of communities we may pass through. Each leader will set the maximum number that they are happy to lead.

4. Walks should be tried out by the leader in advance, to check for risks.

5. Walks of more than 6 people will need a written risk assessment to be submitted. A template can be supplied to the leader on request.

6. People must not attend a walk in they have any symptoms of COVID, are awaiting test results or have been told to self-isolate.

6. Remember that lift sharing with people outside your household / bubble is currently not permitted. Each walker should carry a face covering, hand sanitiser, and a personal first aid kit in case of emergencies. Food should not be shared.

We have some walks advertised on our website already, thanks to some very keen walk leaders, however, we really need some more to satisfy a suspected high demand. Please consider if you could offer to lead a walk, and ask if you would like some help.

Finally, because we have a limited programme and a large pent up demand, please book no more than 2 walks in advance at the moment, but check back on the website and if places remain, you can fill up walks in the last few days before they take place.

Here is the message from the NEC:

EMail sent to all Local Group Chairs, Secretaries and Walks Secretaries on behalf of Julie Cribb, Chair, NEC LDWA 

Please share this content with your members and/ or add it to your next newsletters. Thank You.

Further to our last guidance we are pleased to announce that some LDWA social walking activities can commence earlier than anticipated. Please see below for the situation in each of the regions. In all cases strict adherence to the relevant government legislation and guidance applies regarding travel and social distancing. In cases where activities commence the walks must be uploaded to the LDWA website, the walks register completed and uploaded and, in cases where numbers on the walk exceed 6, the walk must be LDWA Covid risk assessed. It is advised that all documentation is carried by the walk leader during the walk, either in paper or digital form.

Guidelines and templates are in the LDWA Toolkit under Social Walks

ldwa.org.uk/library/toolkit.php#SocialWalks

ENGLAND

• Walking can restart in groups of up to 30 from Monday 29 March (but walk leaders can decide on a lower number)
• Walks must be Covid-19 compliant with a risk assessment and delivery plan completed for walks with more than 6 people
• Minimise travel and avoid busy areas (especially over the Easter weekend) and be aware of the impact of activities on landowners/ local residents

SCOTLAND  

• Walking can restart in groups of up to 15 from Monday 29 March
• Walks must be Covid-19 compliant with a risk assessment and delivery plan completed for walks with more than 6 people
• Travel permitted only within local council areas. Please avoid busy areas and beauty spots (especially over the Easter weekend) and be aware of the impact of activities on landowners/ local residents

WALES

• All LDWA activities are currently suspended.

Please bear with us as we continue to work on restarting Challenge events.

Julie Cribb (Chair, LDWA)

I'm really looking forward to seeing you all again, and meeting some of our newer members for the first time.

Best Wishes,

Anne Brown

Dorset LDWA Walks Secretary

dorset.ldwa.walks@gmail.com

Please use the above address to reply to this email.