Mary Moore - Northumbria Short Circuits
Some Ramblers groups put on a programme of short, easy paced walks to cater specifically for people new to walking, people recovering from illness or families with small children. Northumbria Short Circuits did this and found that the walks are popular with a wider audience than that – people who are simply too busy to go on long walks.
In January 2005 I was asked by the Chairman of Northumbria Area to set up a new group for short walks. The primary objective was to offer new members/walkers a gentle introduction to walking, to help them find their feet and build confidence before moving on to more challenging walks with their local group. This was a subject close to my heart. So often the Ramblers has been perceived as a rather private club for serious trekkers.
A block advert appeared in the January issue of our Area newsletter. The very first person to respond was an experienced walks leader which meant that we could start walking immediately. Our inaugural walk and meeting took place, with seven new members, in Rothbury on 28 February 2005 in rain, sleet and soggy paths. The original seven are still with us!
Our programme takes full advantage of walking opportunities in Northumbria. Some are quite demanding but always taken at a comfortable pace. It is the pace which makes them accessible. Walks are scheduled for weekends to accommodate those in full-time employment.
In order to encourage members to lead walks, we set up field trips in map-reading skills and group management, led by a member who holds the British Expedition Training Award and loves sharing her skills with others.
We had fliers designed which were distributed in information centres all over Northumbria, containing s simple text with contact details for further information:
Want to walk but don’t know how to get started?
Want to get back to walking after an absence?
Just fancy a short walk?
This could be the group for you.
Enquiries flowed in from the ‘cash rich, time poor’. In an increasingly 24/7 commercial life-style, many want to walk but don’t have time for a full day’s trekking. Twenty-eight new RA memberships have come from taking ‘tester’ walks with us. The rapid growth and success of Northumbria Short Circuits has surprised everyone. I see this initiative in keeping with the five year strategy ‘Waymarking the Future’ i.e. expanding the activities of the RA to reflect the society in which we live.
