Cambridge Rambling Club

The Club’s Executive Committee met on Tuesday 4^th August to consider the resumption of ‘formal’ organized walks this autumn. This was in response to the news that the Ramblers Association – the National Governing Body for walking – has negotiated an agreement with the Government to enable organized group walks of up to 30 people to start up. We have checked with the Ramblers that Clubs such as the CRC can now formally organize group walks of between 6 and 30 people, as long as we follow Government guidance initially drawn up for ‘recreational team sports’ on July 17^th. This guidance identifies several steps that must be taken by any Club to identify and mitigate the risks associated with the transmission of Covid-19.

The Executive Committee agreed that, in principle, CRC group walks and trips can resume from 1^st September. However, there is no rush! We want to adopt a very cautious, responsible approach, with decisions on when and how to resume our regular weekly walks’ groups left to the groups themselves. The Committee is aware that some groups, such as the Sunday ‘A’s, are willing to go ahead soon on an experimental basis. Other groups may well consider it too early to start formal walks now.

It is important to be aware that any group resuming a formal programme must operate in a very different way from in the past. The Government guidance requires the Club to publish a ‘Covid-19 mitigation’ plan and every walk must be ‘risk-assessed’ in writing in advance by the leader. This is a big ‘ask’, but is essential if we are to offer walks to our members.

Guidance on the Club’s website is currently being revised. This covers the responsibilities of walks’ leaders and there is a new paper on the responsibilities of walk participants. A Covid-19 plan is also being prepared.

Some groups may conclude that they are unwilling to resume regular walks at present – others may be willing to offer a trial walk for a limited number of people. It will be difficult to rely on pub meals being available and car-sharing may be impractical. making it impossible to operate group walks as in the past. We cannot produce a comprehensive Walks’ Programme for a 4 month period and walks on offer will probably only be advertised on-line a week or so in advance. We are operating in very difficult times and there will be problems in coming to terms with the ‘new normal’.

But walking with friends is such a tonic and so important to Club members that we hope we can all move forward – together.

The National Trust has announced that the parkland and gardens at local properties Ickworth, Wimpole and Anglesey Abbey will re-open on Wednesday 3rd June. However, in order to manage numbers and ensure social-distancing can be maintained, access will be by timed ticket, which must be booked in advance. Tickets can be booked from Friday 29th May online and provide access to the car parks. Tickets are free for NT members; non-members will have to pay but the charges have not yet been advertised. The grounds and toilets will be open, but at present all other buildings, including houses, mills, cafes and shops, will be closed.

In the case of Anglesey Abbey, the car park will remain freely available for anyone walking in the surrounding area. Tickets for entry to the grounds will be available at 30 minute intervals, starting at 9.30. The grounds will close at 16.30. Tickets must be booked by 15.00 the day before any planned visit. Information relating to Ickworth and Wimpole should be available on their respective websites very soon.