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About Rambling

 Rambling is a healthy and highly enjoyable pastime that will take you to many beautiful and interesting places. The following notes will help you to get the maximum enjoyment from your walking. 

What to bring with you

 A Rucksack containing a packed lunch, drinking water (a hot drink or soup is good in cold weather) and a waterproof top garment. Depending on the season a sun hat or extra warm clothing may be  needed.

Boots or strong walking shoes are essential for anything other than the easiest walks on dry days. There are several types of boots and you can start off with only spending about £25 -£35.  Make sure of a comfortable fit whilst wearing thick walking socks.

If you need advice on what to buy any of our more experienced members will be pleased to assist you.

Some sort of waterproof top is a must for our climate, and again there are lots of different types and prices. There are many cheap waterproofs but as the breathability increases so does the price. Waterproof trousers are not essential if you don't mind getting wet occasionally, but DO NOT WEAR denim trousers. They are slow to dry and soak up water. Wear quick dry fabrics instead.

A small personal first aid kit is a good idea as minor scratches and insect bites can be treated immediately.

Before you come on a walk

The Club Programme will give the milage and grade of each ramble. It will also give the name and contact detail of the Leader who can be contacted if you require further information. The meeting place for the ramble is given and it is your responsibility to get to the start in good time. 

 

MEMBERS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THEY UNDERTAKE ALL ACTIVITIES WITH HALESOWEN RAMBLERS AT THEIR OWN RISK AND ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY.  

downloadable documents

Walk notice (risk assessment), to be completed by walk leaders and a copy to halrambler@gmail.com

Group walks risk assessment PDF (pdf)Download
Walking in Halesowen's Countryside (pdf)Download
Walk notice final (docx)Download
Walk notice final (pdf)Download

Welcome

About Defib Finder

This tool allows you to find the nearest defibrillator(s) to you. 

The Defib Finder is funded and managed by the British Heart Foundation. 


Find out more

lyme disease

Information & precautions

 While ticks don’t just come out in summer, along with midges, clegs, wasps – and slow caravans on a busy trunk road – they are one of the pests which you notice more at this time of year. 

We all need to be aware but please don’t let them spoil your walk. 


Ticks are tiny blood-sucking arachnids which can be found in areas of dense vegetation, such as long grass or bracken. They can attach themselves to you and feed on your blood by biting through your skin. Ticks are known to carry a variety of diseases. The most serious of these is Lyme disease, which can be transmitted through the bite of an infected sheep tick.


Lyme Disease Facts

  • Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi.
  • It can be transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected tick.
  • It has a clinical diagnosis.
  • It cannot be confidently ruled out by any current test.
  • It can be difficult to diagnose.
  • Lyme disease symptoms overlap with those of many other diseases.
  • Early symptoms may include headache, fatigue, fever, facial palsy and a skin rash. 
  • It may spread to affect the whole body including eyes, joints, heart and brain.
  • If inadequately treated or treated late, it may be difficult to cure.
  • Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics.
  • Lyme disease was named in 1975, after a number of cases occurred in Old Lyme, Connecticut, USA.
  • Lyme disease is not a new disease, it was known in mainland Europe under different names in the early 20th century and the bacterium was carried by Neolithic “Ötzi the Iceman”.
  • The first confirmed case in the UK was reported in 1985.
  • Lyme disease-carrying ticks can be found throughout the UK in urban parks and gardens as well as in the countryside, but the % of infected ticks is (at the moment) much lower than in most of Europe.
  • Lyme disease is not spelt Lymes disease, Limes disease or Lime disease.

If you are planning to go walking in an area of dense vegetation, consider taking the following precautions:

  • Wear trousers and long-sleeved shirts, keep cuffs fastened & trousers tucked into socks.
  • Wear shoes or boots rather than open sandals.
  • Use insect repellent: DEET or Permethrin can protect against ticks for several hours.
  • If you find a tick, remove it quickly, preferably with a specially-designed tick removal tool. These are better than household tweezers as they avoid the risk of squashing the tick and releasing fluids into your skin. In an emergency you can use a thread of cotton looped around the tick’s mouthparts, which you then pull steadily upwards.
  • After your walk, carefully brush all clothing and examine yourself for ticks. Pay special attention to their favourite feeding places: the backs of knees, around the groin, under the arms and, especially on small children, the hairline and scalp.
  • If part of the tick breaks off or you think any part of it may be left in your skin, wash the site thoroughly but don’t worry about digging with a needle as that may do more damage. Your body will deal with any embedded remains. Consult a doctor if the small area of redness gets worse. 

Further information on Lyme disease and ticks can be obtained from NHS Direct, or from the charity Lyme Disease Action, which has a range of free literature on the subject, and a selection of tick removers.   

 Ticks are tiny blood-sucking arachnids 

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