Southwest Trekking and Hiking Group

This is a friendly sociable Walking and Hiking group for enthusiastic regular active Adult walkers (18 years old and over) who have a shared love of the outdoors and the desire to explore new places on foot with like minded people.
(Group members will need to provide a clear profile photo of 'their face' when applying to join the group so that group organisers can identify them, and will be declined without this. See further T&C's).

The Southwest Trekking and Hiking Group is run on a voluntary basis by a group of friends who are experienced walk hosts who have led hundreds of walks between them.
With walks across the Southwest and into the mountains of Wales, to include the Cotswolds, Wiltshires White Horses, Iron Age Hillforts, to Stonehenge and Avebury, Somerset with the Mendips, Exmoor and coast paths, hills valleys and waterfalls... I hope we have a great selection of walks for everyone.
Walk group sizes are generally kept smaller at around 15 people, but could vary depending on difficulty or if it's a recce, and numbers are at the discretion of the walk host.
Walks are graded as either Leisurely, Moderate, or Strenuous, depending on the difficulty of the terrain, hills, and length of the walk combined, with typical walks ranging between 5 to 12 miles with some as long as 20 miles, depending on the requests of the members. There have also been trips further afield staying away in North Wales.

Terms & Conditions of joining the Southwest Trekking and Hiking Group are listed fully on the separate information Message Board pages from the 'More' drop down menu, but some are listed below, but not limited to these:
You must have a visible profile photo to join the group. (This is preferred to be of yourself and not a group photo, and should NOT be a photo containing children).
*** We understand that for many reasons people do not want to be seen/publish a photo of themselves on group media so the group 'may' accept other photos in certain circumstances, however photos are taken during walks by other members and these are often loaded onto the walk photos during or after the event.
(Please direct message the group Organiser Neil Earley to agree the use of another profile photo).
If agreed to use a different photo than of your face, ie a cartoon meme etc, you must have the rights to use the photo and not the property of someone else.
You must abide by the advice of the host whilst participating in the events listed. 
No form of Discrimination will be tolerated within this group (see full T&Cs on the Message Board Pages)
By requesting to join this group you do so entirely at your own risk and accept that although the leader may be an experienced host, they can not watch all members at all times, and that you are walking with the group of friends by your choice, and you will not do anything, or omit to do something that can endanger yourself or others within the group.

Terrain can be uneven, slippery with trip hazards and there may be stiles to climb over and roads to cross and sometimes walk along. (You are responsible for crossing roads by yourself and not following others without looking for traffic)
Suitable footwear and clothing is your responsibility, and although the host reserves the right to refuse you to start the walk, you can not hold the host responsible for injuries you could sustain from your choice of footwear/clothing.
Livestock to include Cows, sheep and horses may be in the fields that the Public Footpath or Permitted right of way cross's, and although the public have a right to cross the land, the group and walk host can not be held responsible for how wild animals may react and you should not approach livestock whilst crossing these fields.
PUBLIC ADVICE IS TO NEVER RUN ACROSS OR AWAY FROM CATTLE OR HORSES, AS THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO CHASE PEOPLE.
You are responsible for closing ALL gates behind you, especially where Livestock are present.

If dogs are allowed on a walk, they should be kept on a lead and you are responsible for lifting your dog over stiles if there are no dog access points and you must clean up after your dog if it fouls public paths, footpaths including footpaths across farmers fields.
You are responsible for your transport to and from the meeting place and if you choose to lift share it is your decision.
We the Walking Team reserve the right to remove members from the group if they no longer participate in the groups events (Do not log-in and look for 3 months, or do not walk for 6 months)
If you turn off Meetup notifications you can not hold the group responsible for missing event changes such as cancellations or change to start times due to weather warnings or other similar unplanned reasons.