Responsibilities of Members

It’s common sense really but needs stating …. Members agree to keep to the Countryside Code and:

1. Be fully responsible for their own safety, and not act in a manner that may jeopardise the safety of others. If a member has any doubts about their ability on a walk, it is always advisable to contact the Walk Leader before setting out.
2. Ensure that when taking part in a Footloose walk they are properly equipped with suitable footwear, wet weather clothing, hats and gloves, rucksacks and extra layers for warmth, walking poles if needed and enough food and water for the day.
3. Assess from their own standpoint the implications of the weather forecast on chosen walk days, for example – probability of mist, ice or snow, and prepare accordingly.
4. Maintain their own simple first aid kit and carry a compass and head torch. Maps of the walk area are not essential, except for Walks’ Leaders, but will always be found useful.
5. If bringing dogs on a Footloose walk:
   • Keep your dog under effective control to make sure it stays away from wildlife, livestock, horses and other people unless invited. You should:
     • Always keep your dog on a lead or in sight
     • Be confident your dog will return on command
     • Make sure your dog does not stray from the path or area where you have right of access
     • Consult with a walk leader regarding the suitability of a given walk, and follow any instructions from them regarding keeping your dog on a lead
     • Carry Poo Bags and use them where appropriate
   • Always check local signs as there are situations when you must keep your dog on a lead for all or part of the year. Local areas may also ban dogs completely, except for assistance dogs. Signs will tell you about these local restrictions.
   • It is good practice wherever you are to keep your dog on a lead around livestock.
   • On Open Access land and at the coast, you must put your dog on a lead around livestock. Between 1 March and 31 July, you must have your dog on a lead on Open Access land, even if there is no livestock on the land. These are legal requirements
   • NB Dogs are not covered by Footloose 3rd Party Insurance therefore any damage to stock etc is the sole responsibility of the Owner.
6. Be alert to other walkers, particularly those who may have dropped back. All walkers should be especially vigilant to prevent those in the rear from becoming detached or lost.
7. Let the Backmarker know if they plan to drop behind (for a comfort stop etc.), so that they do not lose contact with the group.
8. Any member who starts a walk and for any reason decides not to continue, must notify the Walk Leader or the Backmarker of their decision.
9. At the start of each calendar year, Members will be required to sign a Disclaimer Form declaring their personal responsibility for their own safe conduct within the limits of their capabilities, absolving Footloose Walking Group from any liability whatsoever for their personal safety, or the consequences of any incident or accident that may occur. These Disclaimers will be kept on file and will be renewable annually.
10. To carry in, or on their rucksack, Emergency Contact Details, i.e. those of a relative or friend who can be contacted in the unlikely event of a major trauma.
    

Responsibilities of Walk Leaders

1. It is essential for the Leader to have a map and compass and preferably a mobile phone for contact, plus an adequate first aid kit.
2. Unless they know the route well and the weather is clear, it is always desirable to reconnoitre a route beforehand, noting points of possible risk or hazard and options, if the weather turns out to be unsuitable for the intended walk. This would be an important matter in the event of any incident.
3. Provide a short briefing at the start of the walk describing the route and the general terrain to be covered, highlighting any possible hazards and options that members should consider before they start. Where dogs are potentially present, the Leader has the authority to reject their presense, for example where the walk will encounter vulnerable livestock, wildlife or dangerous terrain. In the event an animal becomes detached from the group the Leader should decide how long to search for the animal without endangering the body of walkers. Should the Owner then decide to stay behind and continue the search they will be deemed to have left the walk and no longer be the responsibility of the Leader.
4. Lead from the front so that more energetic walkers do not get too far ahead or out of contact distance.
5. Appoint a Backmarker on the day at that briefing, with particular instruction to halt the walk Leader as needed, so that the whole group stays in sight. It is the Leader’s role to keep the group together but the Backmarker should also have a map and know the planned route. The need to maintain visual contact with the whole group, is particularly important in broken or wooded country and in bad weather.
6. In the unlikely event of serious injury illness or trauma, the Leader should ensure suitable medical or rescue services are contacted and follow their instruction before moving the group or casualty from the site. See Tips to help in an emergency for useful advice for emergency situations.
7. To carry copies of the Footloose Disclaimer Form for any new or guest walkers. These must be signed by the guest and collected by the Leader and forwarded to the Membership Secretary. Leaders should attempt to get feedback from guests.
8. Submit a very brief synopsis of the day to the Website Coordinator – numbers, weather and any incidents.
9. In the unlikely event that a leader needs to cancel a walk, it should be done as early as possible, at least by 5pm the previous evening. The walk leader should contact the walks coordinator, who will put out an e-mail to all members informing them that the walk is cancelled.  If he/she is not available, the leader should contact the chairman, and if that is not possible, then the treasurer in that order, as they have the full members list. It is appreciated, however, that there will be times when something happens at very short noticed where that cannot happen, but that is very rare.
10. Footloose is an ‘open’ group and welcomes new and guest walkers. On occasion, we may be asked to accept guests who are disabled or partially sighted. Before an acceptance is given, the walk leader must refer the matter to the Committee, as under the terms of our Insurance Policy, the Chairman is ultimately responsible for all safety matters. The Committee will then decide whether, or how, these guests can be accommodated.

Disclaimer for Non-members
(Updated 2025)