The Ramblers Association is a national charitable organisation that promotes the use of the country wide footpath network for recreational use for all the public. To this end it campaigns for the upkeep and preservation of the nations footpath network. By joining the association you can help to contribute to the voice that campaigns nationally and locally for our footpaths.

We are the local (North of Bedfordshire) branch of the Ramblers Association. Although the last of the groups to be formed in the county it has been thriving for over ten years and now has a membership of around 80. The numbers that can turn up for walks varies between around 10 and 30 which makes for a nice size and reflects the sociable nature of the walks. New walkers are often daunted by the prospect of a six mile walk and then are surprised at how fast the walk goes as they have been chatting so much they have forgotten the time!

Although the main object of the group is to organise walking in N. Beds we do get up to other things like days out to other parts of England as well as social evenings such as the summer BBQ and the Christmas dinner to which almost half the membership turns up for an entertaining evening.

All walkers and guests are welcome to join in with this sociable and friendly group. So don't be put off from taking a pleasant walk through the countryside. You will be rewarded with splendid views and seeing parts of England that you would otherwise miss.

Footpaths that are blocked, impassible due to crops or other obstructions should be reported to the County Council who's responsibility it is to ensure that footpaths are kept open. However, due to limitations on manpower and the hundreds of miles of footpaths in north Bedfordshire monitoring all the footpaths are not always practicable If you encounter a problem please down load the file to the right (An Acrobat file) fill it in and send it to the Footpaths Officer of the Ouse Valley group who will forward it on to the Country Council and also follow up any progress.

The Ramblers' Association has produced a check card to assist both existing and potential walk leaders in the preparation of their walk. Although it's mostly common sense it is helpful to have this list so that nothing is forgotten or overlooked. The check list is in an Acrobat file and is available by clicking on the button on the right.

Membership application forms are usually available from walk leaders or local group committee members. If you don't have access to these people or simply can't wait, then an application form is reproduced and available by clicking the button on the right. The file is an Acrobat pdf file. To sign up on-line with the Ramblers Association direct on their web site click here.

Please note that the central office will allocate you to a local Ramblers group on the basis of your post code. If you wish to be affiliated to another group then you must state this on the form. Otherwise you will receive a walk program for the wrong group and area. For example, you live in Bedford but want to be affiliated to the Ouse Valley group then "Ouse Valley" must be stated otherwise you may be affiliated to the North Beds Ramblers and get a different walk programme.

To download:
Left-Click to down load the form (PC, or Mac if your mouse has one) or Function Key & mouse button to select down load with a regular Apple Mac mouse.

To request additional information on our walking group or to make comments about this web site please click here to open a new e-mail form.