Welcome to the OXFORD GROUP home page.
THANK YOU for showing an interest in our area. We are mainly a walking group, with the additional attraction of a few invited suppers, BBQs, Christmas events, etc. often at members homes. Most of our regular members are males over forty, but we do attract and of course welcome younger men and women.
We attempt to creat interesting walks often with a natural, topographical or venacular themes (old churches, castles etc) highlighting national figures including literature and art.
Guests and members with dogs are welcome. Every effort is made to find "dog friendly pubs" without notice (SEE PANDEMIC NOTES BELOW). Find parking places without height restrictions along with postcodes. Usually photographs are included.
We are formed from the much larger BERKS & MID THAMES GROUP (hereafter referred to as "BERKS" - Andy J - cordinator) to focus on the Oxford area.
In general of our Oxford walks and socials concentrate on a 15 mile circle around The CITY OF OXFORD and the area to the west, through north around to the east of Oxford.
The area covering the south, south east and down the Great Western Railway/River Thames corridor are kept specifically for combined walks with our BERKS friends. Many members contribute to BERKS events and vice versa.
We normally walk on the 1st Saturday of the month, but from May to September join BERKS for their "Summer Walks". We don't tend to have a December walk, again joining BERKS for a combined Xmas walk & Dinner. (SEE THE PANDEMIC NOTES BELOW). Our January walk is always a exploration of the galleries, museums, exhibition's, etc of OXFORD CITY, usually under the guidance of our Andrew W.
PANDEMIC
The pandemic will be having an effect on our Groups for some time to come. Every effort is made to continue offering interesting walks, keeping our members and and guests along with the community through which we pass safe. We will tend to keep away from populated areas.
Goverment Rules change very quickly. We shall absorbed regulations as they are made and explain them to our members and guests.
In the worst case situation we will CANCEL EVENTS at very short notice, giving members booked early notice.
THE WALK OR EVENT
We will only advertise one walk on a specific date. We never attract large numbers so don't use the "Booking System". When booking your image will appear from which we can calculate the numbers attending. Having a good dedicated number of members that regularly lead walks, aware of risk assessment etc.
ARRIVAL AT WALK
Please conduct Social Distancing from the start. Our members are in different stages of dealing with the pandemic, for some this maybe the first time out. Respect that some may be wearing face masks, gloves etc. keeping their extra distance.
In general we break down into smaller groups of 4 or 2 members. Work out who you want to walk with. Your leader and cordinator will respect your wishes.
Take it for granted that our "leader and five other members" will form the "LEAD BUBBLE", subsequent "bubbles" will be lead by one of our experienced members, setting out at about five minute intervals - keeping the "lead bubble" in distant view.
LUNCH & FOOD STOPS
As a Group we have discussed stopping at our regular public houses for pub lunches, often half way around or at the end. The Group had indicated that they feel more safe, for the time being - bringing a picnic lunch and sitting in the open, preferably near to a public house from which drinks only can be purchased and brought back to the Group. Unfortunately ALL social indoor events including our SPECIAL XMAS WALK & LUNCH are CANCELLED - this is likely to continue for some considerable time.
LIFTS TO AND FROM EVENTS
GOC policy is to discourage members giving the usual lifts from railway & bus stations. The only exception is whereby those members are already part of a "bubble". Please discuss with cordinator.
KEEPING EACH OTHER INFORMED
It is very important that you air your feelings, concerns, fears out in the open. Discuss them with fellow members. Bring them to the notice of the Group and leaders and cordinators.
NEW MEMBERS AND GUESTS
Making that first move, meeting new people is very daunting. As cordinators we make sure that our members are aware you are attending, ensuring that you are made to feel welcomed and not abandoned. We want YOU to make new friends.
We make sure that all our members will be kept safe. Thats not just YOU, but all of US (including the community's we pass through) at this difficult time.
(SOUTH MIDLANDS - 2nd Sunday of month) ((BERKS - 3rd Sun of month)
Thanks for reading,
Paul and Bill
