Frequently Asked Questions
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We're often asked about who we are and what we do...
Q.
Who are you?
A.
A
group who like walking in the forest, the countryside and the
town. Also socialising with common interests. We're known
as the Epping Forest HF Group and have been around since 1938.
Q.
What does HF mean?
A.
The
letters HF stand for Holiday Fellowship, an organisation set up in
1913 to which we're linked - please look at the HF Holidays Ltd
page for more information.
Q.
How many people are there in the Epping Forest Group?
A.
At
present, over 140.
Q.
Do ALL of you go out on walks together?
A.
No,
not simultaneously! In practice, the numbers going out on
weekly walks tend to vary between half-a-dozen at the least and
twenty-five at the most. Sometimes, depending on the
weather, numbers can drop below six and just occasionally they can
soar well beyond twenty-five.
Q.
But isn't it just possible that all could turn up for a
walk?
A.
In
theory, yes, but in practice a lot of them no longer come out on a
weekly basis (although they might have done so a few years ago)
and some of them never did.
Q.
So why are they in the Group?
A.
Partly
to keep in touch with old friends and partly because of all the
other activities which we have to offer - such as our social
evenings, our twice-yearly coach outings and our holiday weeks.
Some people only belong to the Group because of those other
attractions! Please look at the different pages on those
subjects to find out more. Remember that this particular FAQ
refers to our weekly walks.
Q.
So who decides where to go?
A.
Each
walk has an appointed leader - a different person from week to
week - and it's those leaders who decide.
Q.
Where do the leaders come from?
A.
Our
Ramble Co-ordinator draws up a programme two or three months in
advance, approaching various members to see whether they'd like to
lead a walk.
Q.
When do you walk?
A.
On
most Sundays and public holidays, usually starting at 10.30am.
Q.
Where do you walk?
A.
Epping
Forest and the surrounding countryside, central and greater London
areas but we sometimes go further.
Q.
At what points do your walks begin?
A.
Usually
at Underground or British Rail stations, so that people without
private means of transport can reach us without difficulty. Have
a look at our walks programme.
Q.
What about meeting points that aren't at stations?
A.
Those
places are usually within close range of a bus route - but when
going, just occasionally, to destinations further afield, such as
Chipping Ongar, members with cars offer lifts to those members
without them.
Q.
How long are your walks?
A.
They
vary in length from 6 to 9 miles. Again, have a look at our
programme.
Q.
Why Epping Forest and London in particular?
A.
Epping
Forest. Because
it is so near at hand it is a marvellous and fascinating
place to visit, its character varying from one part to another and
from one time of the year to another - Stretching for over
12 miles from east London into south-west Essex, it is London's
largest public open space and impressively and sensitively
maintained by the Corporation of London. For more
information, do visit the Corporation's website
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/openspaces/eppingforest
London.
Because it is so easily accessible and offers varied and
interesting aspects of parkland, waterways, open spaces,
buildings, new developments and of course history.
Q.
Do you go non-stop?
A.
No,
we're not trying to break any records! Our main object is
simply to enjoy and appreciate the area we're passing through. We
pause once in the morning, for what's called a coffee break,
followed an hour or 90 minutes later by a break for lunch
(sometimes in close proximity to a pub, sometimes at a spot miles
from anywhere - those stops are known as "dry lunches").
There's usually a "tea stop" in the afternoon, but
if the weather's bad we sometimes give that a miss.
Q.
What about food and drink?
A.
Bring
your own, please, in the form of packed lunches and a thermos
flask. Have a look at our Rules and Safety Guidelines page,
which is essential reading.
Q.
When do your walks end?
A.
Depending
upon their length, usually between 3.00pm and 4.00pm. In
summertime, when the days are longer (and if it's a very hot day),
it may be an hour later.
Q.
And where do they end?
A.
Usually,
at the place where they began - at an Underground or British Rail
station. Occasionally, however, somebody leads a linear walk
- from A to B - but this will be announced in advance, and the
terminating point (like the starting point) will be within easy
range of public transport.
Q.
Do I need to wear special clothing?
A.
Yes.
The most important of these is walking boots - although
wellingtons are advisable in very wet weather - have a look at our
Rules and Safety Guidelines page. And a rucksack is strongly
recommended. For town and in dry weather, lighter footwear may be
more comfortable.
Q.
Are there public conveniences on your walks?
A.
Sometimes,
yes, although often there are none.
Q.
Is there any payment that I need to make when coming out on
a walk?
A.
There
is no separate charge for each walk. Instead members pay an annual
subscription, see below.
Q.
Would I be expected to come out on every walk, or a certain
specified number?
A.
Members
make their own decisions from the programme
Q.
So how do I join your Group and what does this entail?
A.
Well,
see whether you like us or not first! You're welcome to come
out on three walks with us as trial period and a way of
getting used to the routines we follow. We'll then invite
you to become a fully-paid up member of the Group and to be on the
mailing list for future programmes and special offers such as
those coach outings and holiday trips. The annual
subscription is £4 per annum or £8 for married
couples. There's usually a member of the Committee out on
each walk, who will be able to supply you with a membership
application form, but if not, use the 'Contact Us' button
above.
Q.
Are there HF Groups elsewhere in the country?
A.
Yes,
there are 40 such groups in all. Have a look at the HF
Holidays Ltd page. www.hfholidays.co.uk/walkingclubs/index.asp