Vale of Belvoir Ramblers

Walk Magazine article - Walker welfare

At a recent Nottinghamshire Area Ramblers meeting, it was agreed that Health & Safety should not only be on agendas at all meetings, whether at Group or Area level, but that reporting of H&S incidents on walks should be reported up the chain of command, data analysed and then feedback provided to members so as to improve safety on walks.

Coincidentally, a related article was published in the Spring edition of Walk magazine and this is reproduced in full below:

Q: What is the best course of action if someone on a group walk feels unwell and is unable to continue?

A: First, the walk leader should stop the group and, while everyone has a break, chat privately to the poorly walker to try to ascertain their condition and anything in their medical history that might be relevant.

If this person has a partner or friend on the walk, involving them in the conversation may help with understanding whether the individual is acting in a way that's normal for them. ( Unexpected behaviour change can be a sign of a more serious condition.)

If the unwell walker is unable to chat, the walk leader should notify the emergency contact on their ICE (In Case of Emergency) card. If it's decided that the individual shouldn't continue with the walk, but they feel able to return to their home, car or public transport, come up with a plan to get them there as quickly and safely as possible.

Never send an unwell person off alone - even if they insist they wil be fine. Make sure that they are accompanied by at least two others in case ir condition deteriorates or someone gets injured. The walk leader should have a mobile number for each person returning and ask one of them to call when thry reach their destinatin.

Those accompanying the unwell walker should make sure that he or she can get safely home or to medical asistance if needed. calling for a lift taxi or ambulance as appropriate. Don't let an unwell perspon drive unless you are certain they can do so safely and ask the individual to call or message once they are at home. If there aren't two in the group who are willing to go back, the walk leader should cancel the walk and everyone should return to the start point as a group. Think about the quickest way back - it may not be the way you have come. Could you get to a point where a taxi, bus or train can take people the rest of the way?

It's always appreciated if the walk leader checks in on the unwell walker a day or two later to see how they are doing.

Also, VBR recommend that back markers should be provided with a paper map, with the leader's mobile number.

ICE cards

These cards (shown below) are available from members of the VBR Committee and should be carried on walks in a suitably accessible location such as in a wallet, purse or rucksack. Alternatives are: an ICE keyring which can be attached to the outside of a rucksack and can be located more easily; the Emergency call function on a smartphone which can be opened without entering a pin.

Saltby, Sproxton, Buckminster and Skillington, 22nd February 2026

Starting near St Peter's Church in Saltby, Scott took 14 VBR members and guests on a 9½ mile walk in glorious weather (for once) to Sproxton and then Buckminster (on the Mowbray Way) and over the Leics/Lincs county border to Skillington (for lunch) and back across Saltby Airfield, now a Gliding Club.

The start, Main Street, Saltby

Looking back at Saltby

St Bartholomew's Church, Sproxton

Snowdrops in the churchyard

One of many stiles on this route - this one in good condtion

Cringle Brook near Buckminster which joins the Witham at Great Ponton. Somewhere near Spoxton (and still in Leicstershire) we leave the Rivers Eye/Wreake/Soar/Trent catchment and enter the Cringle Brook/Witham catchment

The Old Vicarage and St John the Baptist, Buckminster

Spring flowers near Buckminster Hall

Swinging in Skillington

Village sign in Skillington

Skillington Dovecote and Church of St James

Approaching a massive bank of straw bales on the site of Saltby Airfield and destined for the 38MW Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant. Annually this plant burns 240,000 tonnes of straw (approximately 55 bales per hour), sourced mainly from farms local to the Sleaford plant

Preparing to take off from the airfield

Aircraft from Saltby played an important role in the D-Day landings

More information on the extent of WW2 activities around Grantham - notice on Grantham Railway Statiion

Just off route - RAF Memorial, US and Polish flags in evidence

Memories of all comrades who served at Saltby Airfield in World War II

Back to Saint Peter's Church, Saltby

Today's 9½ mile walk (in green) and those we have done nearby in the past. More details on the blog

Cotgrave Country Park, 15th February 2026

Starting at the car park off Hollygate Lane, Steve led 11 members on a 5-mile walk through Cotgrave Country Park to The Shepherds pub for a drinks stop before returning through the park to the start. The route, wet but not muddy, made use of the Grantham Canal towpath and the track of the 2-mile disused railway line which runs between Cotgrave Country Park and Holme Pierrepont, but which is now closed due to damage to the embankment in Radcliffe.

A wet start in the car park

Cotgrave Colliery was a modern mine using Koepe winching gear rather than traditional winding wheels. These so-called tower winders consisted of a vertical engine sitting directly above the shaft and were enclosed in a concrete tower; its function was hidden because you could not see any headstock wheels turning

Cotgrave Country Park is on the site of Cotgrave Colliery which was planned as a show colliery for British Coal. It closed in 1993 due to unsuspected geological faults

Grantham Canal Lock

Windmill Hill - site of Gozen's Hill Mill which stood on top of Mill Lane until 1916 when it was blown down during a gale. The mill was of the post type where the whole body of the tower could be moved by hand in order to face the wind.
Good views towards Ratcliffe Power Station (allegedly)

The Shepherds - coffee or tea and bacon butties (optional)

The rain about to stop as we near home

Edwinstowe and Rufford Country Park

Sue's 6.2 mile walk took 18 members and guests from Occupation Lane in Edwinstowe and then alongside the High Marnham Test Track originally used to deliver coal from Thoresby Colliery to High Marnham Power Station. After crossing the River Maun near Ollerton, we took the bridleway to Rufford Country Park for a drinks stop. Then, after crossing the very busy A614, we followed the Robin Hood Way and the River Maun back into Edwinstowe.

The start in Occupation Lane

You'll miss it when it's gone - this attractive piece of industrial archaeology, Thoresby Colliery Junction Signal Box.

Breaking news - it's gone! Last seen in 2025

Crossing the River Maun near Ollerton

Rufford Mill, once a corn mill for the Rufford Abbey Estate

Rufford Abbey was originally a Cistercian abbey founded in 1145. It was converted into a country house after 1536 and significantly rebuilt in the 17th and 19th centuries. George Savile demolished much of the old monastery around 1680 and added a large north wing. Another major renovation in 1837 by architect Anthony Salvin introduced features such as the clock tower and an ornate Jacobean-style library. Most of the mansion was demolished in the 1950s, leaving only the medieval lay brothers’ range, which now houses an exhibition.

Rear view of Rufford Abbey

Sculpture in Rufford Country Park

Drinks stop

Front view of Rufford Abbey - in Summer

Returning to Edwinstowe across the test track and down to follow the Maun to Mill Lane

Oxton and Robin Hood Hill, 1st February 2026

Starting at Oxton Village Hall, todays 4-mile walk, led by Mansfield & Sherwood Ramblers, took 21 Nottinghamshire Area Ramblers past The Old Green Dragon and up Windmill Hill towards Robin Hood Hill and the old Roman settlement. Tracks were very slippy but improved on the descent back to Oxton on Honeyknab Lane.

The Notts Area AGM followed after lunch and we were later treated to a talk on The Capricious Trent – the Battle Between People and River by local historian Adrian Gray. He described what are believed to be alternative courses of the River Trent, particularly just upstream and downstream of Newark, and its effects on the people of local villages.