Milton Keynes U3A

PART ONE-Description of Group

PART TWO Current Walking Programme

PART THREE Guidance to Walk Leaders and Safety Issues

PART ONE-Description of Group

 The Countryside Ramblers walk every second Thursday mainly on country footpaths within about 10 miles of Milton Keynes. Each walk starts at 10 am and finishing usually between 2 and 3 pm. Walks are led by a member of the group from a pre-advertised meeting point and are normally 8 (occasionally up to 10) miles long. We walk in all weathers (but hope that it does not rain!) and normally stop for a coffee break about one third of the way round and a packed lunch stop after about two thirds. Walkers need to bring all refreshments with them.

We aim to walk as a group at an average pace of about 2.5 mph (not including stops). In addition to refreshments, walker will need:

• To be a member of the U3A
• Have suitable walking boots, warm clothing, waterproof clothing, walking poles (as appropriate).
• Feel confident in their personal level of fitness
• And are strongly recommended to carry a mobile phone with access to the ‘U3A Thursday walking group’ WhatsApp messenger service and one of the location apps described below.

Walks are not accompanied by dogs (except service dogs).

The following ‘apps’ allow walkers to determine their exact location especially should there be an accident or emergency:

What 3 Words: This app allows the location of the walker to be identified to within 2 metres. After loading the App, first press the arrow button to display your current location. There is a ‘share’ option that allows this location to be communicated to others. Note that the three location words must be communicated exactly as spelt. A shared text message to the Group’s Whats App account will include a link directly to your location on the receiver’s mobile.

OS Locate. This app also allows the exact current location of a walker to be found but as an Ordnance Survey coordinate (displayed in the middle of the compass). Again there is a ‘share’ option. Like What3Words, a shared message to the Group’s WhatsApp account will include a link directly to your location, which will be displayed on a map on the receiver’s mobile.

In situations where an accident or injury requires contacting the emergency services, W3W or OS Locate information is vital to ensure that a casualty can be found as quickly as possible.

The Group’s WhatsApp account (U3A Thursday walking group) is designed to allow walkers to communicate with each other on walking issues. It is not designed for other social communications. In a situation were a walker is lost or has encountered an emergency, it is the simplest and most effective way of communicating with other members of the group.

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PART TWO Current Walking Programme

 

MKU3A Countryside Ramblers Programme for January to July 2026

All walks start at 10 am prompt. Please bring a packed lunch.      

Thursday 16th April 2026

Kate Watters                                     Roade                                                                  about 7.8 miles

The starting point for this walk is the Village Hall in Roade, Bailey Brooks Lane, Roade, (Grid Ref= SP753520, w3w///signed.split.saga, nearest postcode=NN7 2LS). We are asked to park at the tennis court end as they have nursery that day. The walk will take in Roade, Stoke Bruerne, and Shutlanger. The precise route will depend on recce nearer the time  to avoid any deep ruts/puddles if we have more heavy rain.

Thursday 30th April 2026

Phil and Barbara Potts                  Bluebell walk-Cranfield                                about 8 miles

This walk is designed to admire the bluebells in  Marston Thrift (described as an SSSI with ash and maple woodland on heavy clay, a habitat which has become scarce in lowland England).  Park near the church in Cranfield on Court Road (Grid Ref=SP956420, W3W///flukes.jetliner.scans, nearest postcode=MK43 0DR). The walk will extend towards Marston Moretaine.

Thursday14th May 2026

Derek Beaumont                                                                             Wing                                     about 8 miles

Meet by the entrance to the Parish Church in Wing (Grid Ref=SP 881226; w3w///necks.mixers.showcases; nearest postcode LU7 0NY).  Please park with consideration in Church Street, which is a residential area. The  walk will take us across the fields to Aston Abbotts and thence North to Cublington before returning to Wing.

Thursday 28th May 2026   

Richard Tearle and Linda Hudson Grafton Regis about 8.5 miles

This circular walk from Grafton Regis goes along the towpath to Stoke Bruerne bottom lock and then cross country, passing through the village of Ashton.  The walk is 8.5 miles with 4 stiles. Meet in The Lane, Grafton Regis (Grid Ref=SP757468; w3w//ready.micro.bravest; nearest postcode=NN12 7SR). Park considerately along the grass verge opposite the wall.  Walking poles are recommended.

Thursday 11th June 2026 

 Marilyn and Bill Ridsdale

Thursday 25th June 2026

Ros Ford and Will Moat - Olney

Thursday 9th July 2026     

Phil and Barbara Potts                  Summer lunch-Little Crawley                               about 5 to 6  miles

This is the Regular bring and share lunch at The Stones, Little Crawley. Please park with consideration on the verge adjacent to The Stones (Grid Ref= SP922453, W3W/// growl.tanks.overpower, nearest postcode=MK16 9LT). A 5 to 6 mile stroll round Little and North Crawley will be followed by a bring and share lunch in the garden. More details later.

Thursday 23rd July 2026 Keith Lloyd

PART THREE Guidance to Walk Leaders and Safety Issues

1. Walk leaders volunteer to lead walks of typically ‘about’ 8 miles mainly along countryside footpaths in the area surrounding Milton Keynes.
2. Walks started at 10 a.m. every other Thursday and usually finish at about 2 p.m. (but sometimes a little later).
3. Walks normally start and finish at the same meeting point and leaders are asked to ensure that suitable and safe car parking is available there for participants (Occasionally walks have involved travel by train and walking between suitable railway stations).
4. Leaders are asked to take a register of those participating in the walk.
5. Leaders are asked to ensure that they are familiar with the route of their walk, normally by undertaking a recent recce and to undertake a brief introduction at the beginning of the walk, especially briefing participants on any hazards and safety precautions.
6. If there are new members joining the walk, consider inviting all participants to introduce themselves as part of the briefing.
7. Often walks include a brief ‘pit stop’ coffee break about an hour into the walk and a lunch break about two thirds of the way round. It is best to avoid stops in fields occupied by animals to avoid the risk of ticks.
8. Please consider providing your mobile phone number for inclusion in the walk details to allow emergency contact.
9. It is highly desirable for walk leaders to have the What3Words app (https://what3words.com) on their mobile phones to allow exact location details to be provided to emergency services in case of an accident and to allow communication with other members of the walkng group.
10. If the walking route includes a significant distance along a public road especially with no pavement, leaders are asked to wear bright clothing or a fluorescent jacket and to ensure that the rules of the Highway Code are followed, as outlined in the next section.
11. Where possible, walk leaders should ask a member of the walking group to serve as back marker to ensure no-one gets left behind.

 

Highway Code – Rules for pedestrians

Rule 1 Pavements (including any path along the side of a road) should be used if provided. Where possible, avoid being next to the kerb with your back to the traffic. If you have to step into the road, look both ways first. Always show due care and consideration for others.

Rule 2 If there is no pavement, keep to the right-hand side of the road so that you can see oncoming traffic. You should take extra care and

• be prepared to walk in single file, especially on narrow roads or in poor light
• keep close to the side of the road.

It may be safer to cross the road well before a sharp right-hand bend so that oncoming traffic has a better chance of seeing you. Cross back after the bend.

Rule 3 Help other road users to see you. Wear or carry something light-coloured, bright or fluorescent in poor daylight conditions.

Rule 5 Organised walks. Large groups of people walking together should use a pavement if available; if one is not, they should keep to the left. Look-outs should be positioned at the front and back of the group, and they should wear fluorescent clothes in daylight. 

Thunderstorms

• If caught outside in a thunderstorm, find a low spot away from trees, fences, and poles.
• If your skin tingles and hair stands on end, lightning is about to strike.
• Crouch down immediately, balancing on the balls of your feet, placing hands on knees with head between them.
• When doing so, it is preferable to stand on insulating material (e.g., a seating mat), to discard metal items (e.g., a walking pole) and to disperse from other walkers.
• This makes you into the smallest target possible, minimises contact with the ground and minimises the risk of several members of the group being affected.

Note that real time lightning tracker apps are available for mobile phones (e.g., ‘My Lightning Tracker’). If there is a risk of a thunderstorm, these provide a map showing current occurrences of lightning strikes.

Hot weather.

Wear suitable loose clothes, a wide brimmed hat, sun glasses and factor 30+ sun lotion on any exposed skin. Bring extra water and drink regularly to keep hydrated.

Guidance on heat exhaustion

If you suspect someone has heat exhaustion, follow these 4 steps:

• Move them to a cool place.
• Remove all unnecessary clothing like a jacket or socks.
• Get them to drink a sports or rehydration drink, or cool water.
• Cool their skin – spray or sponge them with cool water and fan them. Cold packs, wrapped in a cloth and put under the armpits or on the neck are good too.

Stay with them until they're better. They should start to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes.

If symptoms persist or get worse, contact 111 for advice or call the emergency services.

Walking through fields of cows and other animals

• Wait until everyone has caught up and walk through the field as one large group.
• Avoid cows if necessary by deviating from the footpath and avoid splitting the herd if possible.
• Keep away from calves and never try to pet animals.
• Walk calmly through the field, facing the animals.
• Never run with your back to the animals.