The North Craven Heritage Trust is duty bound to ensure that leaders of walks are adequately briefed on their responsibilities and are competent to lead a walk . Each leader has to comply with Health and Safety Executive legislation and guidance. The NCHT supplies a first-aid kit to leaders and a mobile telephone will be available. Guidance to leaders is issued as a printed note. The NCHT has responsibilities but so do the persons joining a walk, who should be properly clothed, and declare any potential health or fitness problem, and make clear to the leader any consequent emergency action that might be required. The leader has a right to request that a person does not take part in a walk if the risk of a medical emergency is deemed to be too high. Any person in doubt about this issue should ideally contact the leader beforehand.
The NCHT requires that:
The leader of a walk carries out a risk assessment for each outing, perhaps
best achieved by carrying out a recce no more than a few days prior to the
walk.
The leader must brief the party at the outset on the intended route, distance, the amount of steep or rough ground, and any potential hazards.
The leader must inform the party what clothing and equipment is deemed appropriate for that outing and must make a spot decision as to whether an ill-equipped person should be allowed to take part in the walk. If the leader accepts such a person he/she is thereby accepting responsibility and liability.
The leader must ascertain if any member of the party has any medical condition likely to have a negative impact on that person's ability to complete the walk. The leader has to make the necessary decision.
The leader must have a system in place to remove from the party those who are deemed unfit or incapable of completing the walk, possibly by having an early stop for a rest.
The leader must carry an HSE-approved first-aid kit which is regularly checked. The leader should have or have access to the necessary first aid and emergency procedure skills and competencies.
Sunday walks usually start at 1.45 pm and are a leisurely 4 to 5 miles, taking up to 3 hours. See the programme details. Strong footwear and waterproofs recommended; uneven ground with some gradients and stiles. Suitable for experienced walkers with no severe health problems.
Visitors pay a fee of £2 to cover insurance.
All last about 1 to 1 1/2 hours, start at 7 pm and are about 1 or 2 miles. Easy walking on roads or footpaths with minimal physical difficulties.
Visitors pay a fee of £2 to cover insurance.