Final Details for all Night Walkers on 7 October, 2016

We are entering the final countdown and getting pretty excited! Based on current forecasts, it looks like the weather will be kind to us: we expect light winds with a partially cloudy sky that will give us some great conditions for the event.

The overall description of the walk is on this page. Final details are listed below:

Please wear light coloured and clothing, and use any “high vis” or “dayglo” jackets or reflective bands you may have – this helps with seeing each other in the dark, and makes you more visible to car drivers.

Feel free to decorate yourselves with glow sticks, fairy lights, etc – make yourself glow! We will have some glow sticks available at the start but why don’t you see if you can do better than Kathy and Julie did last year!

Equipment to bring with you: please make sure each walker has the following in a suitable backpack / bag:

• The mobile phone with the number you registered with – make sure it is charged. This is so we can contact you, or you can contact us, if need be on the night.
• Hat & gloves
• Waterproofs and a warm jacket – rain is not forecast, but you never know.
• Headtorch – we have lots to give out, but if you have your own – perhaps from last year – and can bring it with you, it will reduce costs to Cameron’s Trust. Remember to check your batteries.
• Reading Glasses – bring these if you will need them to read the map or the route description
• Medications if required
• Water / drinks and other refreshments as you go around – please don’t forget to take all your waste home with you. 

Sponsorship: if possible, please make your sponsorship payments to our events page at Total Giving as soon as you can: www.totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/2nd-night-walk This saves a lot of paperwork especially with Gift Aid. If you want to pay by cheque or charity voucher, please make it payable to “Cameron Grant Memorial Trust”. You can of course bring cash with you on the night, but it would be great if you could donate online at the Total Giving link above. We would like to collect all sponsorship money by October 31st.

Arrival & directions: parking will be limited. If you are able to, please walk to the start to avoid cars all over Hampton. The walk will be taking place from Fentham Hall, Hampton in Arden.

Start & end location: this year, the Night Walk will start from, and end in, the Arden Room of the Fentham Hall. This is the modern part of the Fentham Hall, “behind” the main building. From the road entrance to Fentham Hall Car Park off Marsh Lane, go towards The Beeches, then turn right, keeping Fentham Hall on your left. Turn left at the end of the Hall, and you will see the entrance ahead on your left

Registration: everyone must register on arrival. You may arrive to check in to the walk from 6.45pm and can start the walk any time between 7 and 8pm. You MUST also check in at two points around the route (will be indicated on the map you will be given) and check out at the end – failure to do so will cause us to have minor heart attacks and we WILL come to look for you – please help us by checking in and out at the correct places.

What to wear: the weeds and brambles are still present and it will be damp in places, with a couple of wet patches (as of 2 Oct). We expect that it will  be cool, but not cold. Make sure to wear long trousers to protect your legs and we suggest walking boots or wellingtons rather than trainers (you will get wet feet if you wear trainers!). By and large, the path is not particularly muddy but the footpath does cross some fields that have been ploughed recently. Please make sure your footwear and other clothing will cope with this. Shoes with any kind of heel or smooth soles are not appropriate and should not be worn. Above all, be comfortable and supported in your footwear.

Dogs: dogs are very welcome to walk with you but please be a responsible dog owner and clear up after your dog. There are animals in many of the fields you will be walking through, so please keep your dog on a lead all the time.

Pictures: please bring your camera to take pictures of the event. We would love to see them afterwards, and you can send them to us at info@camgrant.org.uk We will also have a photographer taking pictures so if you don’t want to give permission for us to use any picture you may appear in for publicity please let us know.

Walkers age 15 & under should all be walking with a responsible adult – we will check this at registration so please be aware of this requirement.

You are taking part at your own risk: we have checked the route several times and it is safe to use, but you must make your own assessment based on your own abilities. It is not a hard route but you will be out in the country side where paths are not paved and mud and water exist. Please be aware that the usual risks of walking in the countryside will be present during this route but you may not see all of them due to the light conditions. Take extra care when walking over muddy ground or stiles that you need to climb over and look out for overhanging branches or wildly overgrown weeds.

Have fun! We are running this event to raise awareness of mental health issues and to highlight some simple steps people can take to keep minds and their bodies fit and active. Being active outdoors is a great way of keeping fit, and walking in the dark adds an extra dimension. So please take care, but enjoy it.

The bar will be open in the Fentham Hall after the walk. We encourage everyone to stay and share stories of the evening’s trek in the dark.

That’s it, we look forward to seeing you on Friday, and please let us know if you have any questions beforehand at info@camgrant.org.uk

Very many thanks, Evan & Carol Grant and Simon Thomas

PS all are welcome on the Night Walk and it will be possible to register on the night, so all are welcome on Friday.