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WALKING FOR HEALTH INITIATIVE
Berwick-upon-Tweed
To give it’s full title the Walking the way to health initative is a partnership between the British Heart Foundation and The Countryside Agency. Funding is from the New Opportunities fund, with sponsorship from Kia Cars. Locally it is supported by NHS, Berwick Borough Council, Berwick Area Heart Support Group, the Berwick Ramblers, and various other volunteer groups. Local funding, until 2005, is by way of a grant from the Countryside Agency, with office space and facilities supplied by Berwick Borough Council
WHAT ARE HEALTH WALKS.
Health walks are friendly group walks set up to make it easier and more fun for you to make walking a regular part of your life. This is because walking is very good for you!
The aim is to walk for a minimum of 30 minutes at a pace that is a little faster than your normal walking speed. this means that you can still hold a normal conversation indeed, a large part of the enjoyment is talking to others in the group!
Most walks are circular and have two trained leaders - one at the front of the group and one at the rear. This means you walk at a pace that is right for you - no one can get left behind and there is no pressure to walk faster than you are comfortably able to do.
By taking part in the weekly walks, your ability to walk for longer distances or times will increase so our programme provides a variety of walks to suit all.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HEALTH WALKS?
Research has shown that:
· Regular exercise can HALVE the risk of coronary heart disease.
· The risk of having a stroke is THREE times higher in those who do little or no exercise.
· High blood pressure can be REDUCED by as much as 10mm Hg.
· Regular exercise is associated with a 40% REDUCTION in bowel cancer.
· Regular walking helps strengthens the bones - hip fractures in over 45 year olds could be reduced by up to HALF with regular walking.
· Type 11 diabetics in over 45 year olds could be reduced by nearly one QUARTER
· Regular walking can help REDUCE WEIGHT and maintain weight loss - walking just one mile can burn up at least 100 kcal
WHICH IS THE BEST WALK FOR ME?
You will see that we have two levels of walk - ‘starter’ and ‘longer’
Starter Walks
These are between 30 and 60 minutes long. if you have done a little walking before or are at all unsure of how far you can walk, then these are for you.
Trained leaders will make sure that you can walk at a pace and for a distance that is manageable for you.
Longer Walks
These generally last for one to one and a half hours and are for those who have completed a programme of starter walks or who already walk regularly.
These walks are also led by trained leaders who will make sure that you can walk at a pace that is right for you
HOW DO I JOIN A HEALTH WALK?
All walks are free and don’t require anything but comfortable shoes and suitable outdoor clothing.You don’t have to book - just turn up at one of the times/places below. Walks run every week at the same time come rain or shine!
WHEN AND WHERE ARE THE HEALTH WALKS?
There are currently four locations in the Berwick-upon-Tweed area, but more are planned. No need to book just turn up at the times below, Enjoy your walking!
BELFORD
Monday 1330 - Starter Walk
(meet at the Bell View)
Monday 1500 - Longer Walk
(meet at the Market Cross)
Although there is no charge for the walks, in Belford walkers pay £0.50 per week which covers tea/coffee and biscuits
BERWICK-UPON-TWEED
Friday 1330 - Starter Walk
(meet opposite Council offices in Wallace Green)
Wednesday 1330 - Longer Walk
(meet at Berwick end of Old Bridge)
SEAHOUSES
Monday 14:00
(Meet outside the Tourist Office in the main car-park)
mid-length walk which combines the fitter and less fit with 3 leaders able to split the group if necessary to ensure that no-one is pushed beyond their capabilities.
WOOLER
Thursday 1330 - Longer Walk
Thursday 14.00 - Shorter walk
(meet at the Cheviot Centre)
Although there is no charge for the walks, in Wooler walkers pay £1:00 per week which covers tea/coffee and biscuits and builds up to pay for transport to enable either linear or circular walks away from Wooler.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
e-mail ben@berwick-upon-tweed.gov.uk
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CARAD
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Communities in Alnwick, Rothbury, Amble, Druridge
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HEALTH WALKS
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ALNWICK
Every Wednesday
STARTER WALKS – 30 to 40 minutes
10am from Alnwick Tourist Information Office
(Market Side), Alnwick
INTERMEDIATE/LONG WALKS – 60 TO 90 minutes
1.30pm from Willowburn Sports & Leisure Centre,
Willowburn Avenue, Alnwick (Just off the A1).
Wednesday 1000 - Starter Walks
AMBLE – Every Tuesday
INTERMEDIATE/LONG WALKS - 60 to 90 minutes
2pm from Amble Tourist Information Office,
Queen Street, Amble
ROTHBURY – 1st and 3rd Friday of each month
STARTER WALKS – 30 to 40 minutes
10.30am from Rothbury Parish Church Hall,
Church Street, Rothbury
HADSTON – Every Wednesday
STARTER WALKS – 60 to 90 minutes
1pm from Hadston House
DRURIDGE BAY COUNTRY PARK
RED ROW – Just off the A1068
INDEPENDANT WALKS WHICH INCLUDE A BEACH WALK,
A WOODLAND WALK AND AROUND THE LARGE LAKE.
These walks are all clearly signposted.
For further information contact –
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CARAD Health Walks Co-ordinator
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Willowburn Sports & Leisure Centre,
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Willowburn Avenue,
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Alnwick NE66 2DW
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01665 605030
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