The following notes are to help walk organisers when planning and running a walk.
The Route
Design a circular route so that we end up near where the cars are parked. You should also make sure there is somewhere to park the cars and if this is on private land (e.g. a pub car park), it is only courtesy to clear it with the owner well in advance. We have run into unexpected trouble in the past!
Try to set a route of approximately three miles (i.e. not less than 2½ miles, preferably under 3½ miles and not more than 4 miles) and mark the total distance on the route sheet so everybody knows.
Keep the entire route along public rights of way otherwise we could end up in trouble.
Divide the route into stages of approximately equal length: no less than six and not more than twelve.
You need to plan for families on your walk, so observance of the Highway Code and the Country Code should be encouraged.
On the day, mark the route 'QW' with chalk to assist the directions and end of stages. This is particularly important in places where written directions might be long-winded or difficult. Ordinary blackboard chalk is great because it will wash off next time it rains.
Teams
Normally, we keep teams to not more than four regular members. However, we also want to help new members, so we would encourage them to go round with "those who know how" which will sometimes mean larger teams.
Questions
You need to set a total of 25 questions for your walk.
You should have at least two and not more than three questions at the start of the walk. These questions can be in any sequence.
On each stage have at least one and not more than four questions. The answers must be within the stage and the questions must be set in the sequence in which the answers will be seen along the route.
We try not to walk through built up areas, but if there is no alternative keep questions here to a minimum and mark the route sheets accordingly. The problem will be too many things to see!
Don't use items that are likely to be moved (e.g. advertisements, movable farm equipment, etc.)
We should respect other peoples privacy and property. Answers relating to residential property must be clearly visible from the public right of way.
Answers
Click here for blank score sheet (MS Word format)
When taking answers, it is your decision as to whether you have been given a sufficiently correct answer.
You should accept only one answer to each question from each team. If you do get several answers to one question ask which they are giving and then that's it.
You should expect the answers to be given in the sequence that the questions are set. It also helps to get all the answers from the team first and then go back over the questions to tell people the answers to those they got wrong. That stops "hunting".
Time Allowed
This is not normally an issue. But, as organiser, you may wish to set a time limit. If you do then you should allow one hour per mile of walk as a minimum. Add to this for difficult terrain, enjoying views, looking over interesting buildings, etc.
Most importantly, please make sure everybody knows the time limit before they set off.
The Scoring System
After answers have been received from
each team, the bonus points are awarded on a team basis as follows:
| 1 team submitting correct answer |
20 points |
| 2 teams submitting correct answer |
15 points |
| 3 teams submitting correct answer |
12 points |
| 4 teams submitting correct answer |
10 points |
| 5 teams submitting correct answer |
9 points |
| 6 teams submitting correct answer |
8 points |
| 7 teams submitting correct answer |
7 points |
| ... etc. to | |
| 13 or more teams submitting correct answer |
1 point |
Members of the winning team of a walk are awarded 20 league points, second team 19 league points, third team 18 league points, etc.
For each member, only the best five results count towards the league position.
Please send the results (keep a copy in case it gets lost!) together with the route sheet and answers to the chairman as soon as possible.
The Handicap ('Andy Capp)
The annual handicap walk is the first walk of the following season and is organised by the League Champion.
This walk is scored on the number of correct answers given by the team. Each members score is then calculated by deducting his/her handicap.
Each members handicap is calculated on the performance during the season on the following basis:
- if more than five league walks were entered then the average of the number of correct answers from the five highest scoring walks (in terms of the number of correct answers) is taken as the handicap;
- if three, four or five walks were entered then the average of the number of correct answers is used as the handicap;
- if fewer than three walks were entered during the season, the member scores the number of correct answers for each walk attended plus 25 for each walk to make up to a total of three walks and the total divided by three to calculate the handicap.
The result for each person is calculated as the number of correct answers minus the handicap.
Club Rules
The above has been distilled from the Club Rules. To download a complete copy of the rules click here.