FAQs

Q: Who are Manchester and District Walkers?
A: We are a 20 and 30s walking group of approximately three hundred members in the Manchester and High Peak area, part of the Ramblers Association. As well as walking we have an active social scene and our weekends away are very popular.

Q: I'm not a member can I still come on one of your walks?
A: Yes, feel free to come on a few walks (up to three) with us first before deciding whether you want to join or not. See our new member's page for membership information and benefits of membership while you are deciding.

Q: Can I just turn up on a walk or do I need to book?
A: You don't have to book a place to go on our walks unless otherwise stated in the walk, turn up at the stated meeting place for the walk.

Q: What equipment/kit do I need to go on a walk?
A: If you do not have appropriate footwear, or are wearing jeans, the walk leader may refuse to let you join the walk. Before coming on a walk with the MAD Walkers, please read the Before Walking page and our disclaimer on that page. The ramblers website has some good advice about buying walking boots/footwear

Q: Do I need previous walking experience or be able to run up hills?
A: Not at all, MAD offers a variety of walks to suit different levels of fitness and experience. Please look at the walk length,grade/rating and description on the walks page to choose something suitable for you. It's possible to filter and display walks suitable for new walkers only, see walks page and click on the walk display filter.

Q: What's the difference between public transport and direct transport walks?
A: Public transport walks usually start at the train stations in Manchester either Victoria meet point or Piccadilly meet point. For direct transport walks we meet at the start of the walk. We encourage members to car share as much as possible, which can be arranged via the Members Facebook Group.

Q: What time do walks finish?
A: There is no easy answer to this question - duration depends on a wide variety of factors - length, difficulty, weather, number in group, experience of group etc. Many walks are 'day walks' intended to have a duration of over 4-5 hours. If you have a pressing engagement after the walk, check before starting the walk that the walk finishes in good time. DO NOT walk off to return to the car or train station without informing the Walk Leader in person, as this might trigger an unnecessary search.

Q: Can children and/or pets come on walks?
A: We welcome accompanied children and pets on our walks at the walk leaders discretion. Walkers must be 18+ or accompanied by an adult holding parental responsibility. All pets must be accompanied by their owner, who is responsible for their care at all times. Any issues on the walk should be brought to the walk leader's attention as soon as possible. Remember, the walk leader may not have set the walk up with children/pets in mind. If you're not sure of the style of the group or are new to walking, it may well be wise to try the group by yourself first.

Q: Do I need to come to a new member's evening/regular social before coming on a walk?
A: The regular social nights are a good way to meet other members and new members, but it's not compulsory to attend new member's evening before coming on a walk. See our new member's page for further details of our regular socials and who the contact is on each night.

Q: Can I come on a social event?
A: ALL social activities with the exception of new members' nights are members only, unless otherwise advertised.

Q: Can I come on a weekend away?
A: ALL weekends away are members only, unless otherwise advertised. Also weekends are only available to paid up members who have booked as described in the weekend description.

Q: How do I join?
A: The easiest way is to join online through the Ramblers become a member

Q: I am over 40 can I join this group?
A: Yes you can join MAD however if you would feel more comfortable in RA group specifically for the 40+ age range, then a new sister group to MAD called Manchester Weekend Walkers has been formed. See www.mwwalkers.org.uk for further information. MAD shares walks and socials with our sister group MWW.

Q: Can I lead a walk?
A: If you are a member, you can lead a walk - indeed we encourage you to and will give you help, guidance and advice. MAD organise navigation weekends to improve your existing navigation skills or to learn how to navigate. Following navigation courses MAD have some of our existing walk leaders mentoring new walk leaders, email the Walks Coordinator if you require more information about this.

Q: How do I get involved?
A: We welcome involvement, we are a group run by its membership. If you have anything you can help with, or interesting new ideas, please do ask and suggest away.

Q: What's the committee?
A: The committee are members of the group who volunteer to help with the running of the group e.g. walks coordinator, socials coordinator by attending committee meetings and having active roles within the group. Anyone paid up group/RA member can nominate themselves for a committee role, see current AGM page for how to do this. The committee are elected at the annual group AGM and "stand" for a year. All the committee "stand down" at the AGM but can be re-elected subject to following the current nomination procedure at that time.

Q: When is the Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the group?
A: We are a membership group, it is that important that members have their say. We have an AGM every year, normally first week in November. Members are most welcome and encouraged to come along and join in.

Q: If a weekend, social or other event makes a profit, can this be donated to charity at the discretion of the organiser and participants?
A: In general, no. One of the reasons that we can offer the wide range of events and activities that we do is on the assumption that some events will make a loss but others will make a profit and so costs are covered in the grand scheme of things. Consequently, in general any unforeseen surplus must be retained by the group, which after all is itself a charity. An exception is however made for the annual Santa Walk in the run-up to Christmas, and any other events/ walks which are explicitly publicised as charity events from the outset.

Q: Can I advertise recces on facebook?
A: Absolutely, however please limit walk numbers to 6 people as these would not be covered by the Ramblers Exemption.

Q: I have other questions about the current booking system?
A: Please email committee@madwalkers.org.uk if you have any queries on any of the current policies.

If you have any question(s) that you would like to see added to this page please e-mail secretary@madwalkers.org.uk we will endeavour to answer and add them.