'No Shows' for Walks
On numerous occasions during the Summer 2004 walks programme some people had their names down for a walk and then didn’t turn up. On the walk to Crinan Canal we had six no shows. This is totally unacceptable due to the following:
departure of the bus is delayed as we wait longer for people to turn up,
depending on numbers we can on most occasions get a mini bus instead of the big bus (which is cheaper),
if we have to use a minibus and people don’t book until the end of the week they may have to be put on a waiting list so no-shows could be stopping someone else from attending,
the Club loses vital bus funds; e.g. on the Crinan Canal walk we lost £48.00 from no shows and we could also have got the 33 seater bus as the total number attending was 30.
We therefore need to emphasise once again the need to book and /or cancel by a Wednesday night if possible. If you are unable to contact the leader of the walk please phone any committee member who, even if not attending the walk themselves, can get a message to the leader or Robert our driver.
£3.00 will now be charged for no shows - it only takes a phone call to cancel.
Conduct on Walks
The Committee have noted that there have been a
number of occasions in the recent past where members have decided that they would like to do a
different walk, on the day, from that advertised in the programme. In the past
this was a fairly rare occurence and leaders allowed members to do their own
thing but we now find that this is happening more regularly.
The Committee feel that members should be discouraged from
going off on their own for the following reasons:-
- Members could be
involved in an accident and the walk leader could not be informed. This could
lead to occasions where the programmed walk had finished, the walkers were
back on the bus ready to go home but could not do so because all walkers had
not returned. Officially, when anyone leaves a walk to do something else, they
are no longer part of the group and the bus should not be held for them.
However, what leader could go off and leave group members stranded, often in
the middle of nowhere, or perhaps lying on a hillside?
- There are also
insurance questions. The leader on the day is the person insured by the
Ramblers Association, therefore people leaving the main group would no longer
be covered.
- There is also the fact
that other group members may feel that they would want to do their own thing
thus leading to complete disorganisation.
- Members have complained
that people are just using the bus to get to places where they want to do a
particular walk rather than the group organised walk.
The Committee feel that if they have spent the time to
organise a programme of walks then those booking on a walk should support the
group and participate in the advertised event.
The walks convenor on the Committee spends a lot of time
trying to arrange a varied programme although it is inevitable that walks will
be repeated.
It is therefore the recommendation of the Committee to all
leaders that they should not allow members to go off a walk at any time.
There may be occasions when a member does not feel well, or
becomes ill and wants to return to the bus. This is a different situation and
that person should be accompanied on his return, preferably by a Committee
member. The leader should be satisfied with any arrangements made and should
always check on the particular member after the walk.
Ramblers Association Membership
Please note that everyone is allowed out on two walks before joining the Ramblers Association (RA).
The Club receives a grant every year from the RA which helps with bus costs and the general running of the club, so everyone’s
membership fee is vital. Could all members and non-members please ensure that their membership is always up to date.
Anyone wishing a membership form should contact Christine McMahon.
Litter
It has been noted that litter (plastic bottles / cans and banana peel etc.) is being discarded on walks. Please note it is Ramblers Association policy to take all litter home even
if it is bio-degradable. Thank you for your co-operation in this matter.
The Monklands Ramblers Committee - September 2004