What are the benefits?
As a guide it can be quite difficult to get enough publicity to produce enough work to make guiding worthwhile. The co-op gives a central point for customers and tourist information offices to find suitable guides within North Devon and Exmoor.

Promotion of the co-op is done through the local tourist offices, libraries, outdoors shops, council offices and the like as well as through this web site.

The co-op enables group purchasing of Public Liability insurance, something that can be prohibitively expensive for individuals to get. It also enables group training opportunities such as outdoor first aid and guiding training, both becoming increasingly necessary to cover you in case of accidents and claims against you as the guide.

How much does it cost?
The co-op started in January 2006 with a joining fee set at £40 per person. The co-op has already attracted funding to help it set up. It is a company limited by guarantee. At the moment it has a membership of about 20 guides in varying subjects.

At a meeting in December 2006 it was decided to include within the membership fee a contribution towards the Public Liability insurance we have secured for our members. The cover includes £5 million PL insurance for all members regardless of where their guiding work originated. The membership fee therefore will cost for 2008, £25 membership plus £65 PL insurance donation, making a total fee of £90.

How to join
You can either download the membership form and send it to the address on the form or call Bryan Cath, Chair of the co-op on 01271 883487 to discuss it further before making your decision. We look forward to hearing from you.