Walk your way to health
Herefordshire residents are being encouraged to walk their way to better health through a series of free fitness events.
The Footprints Countywide scheme already runs free guided walks on a weekIy basis in Hereford, Marden, Fownhope, Leominster and Ross-on-Wye, and it is hoped to expand these so the whole of the county is covered.
A trained leader takes the 30 to 60-minute long walks and new people are always welcome to come along.
Councillor Roy Stockton, cabinet member for community services, said: “Walking is a great way for all county residents to improve their health as it requires no special equipment and people of all fitness abilities can take part, even those who have been referred by their doctors.
“Walking is great exercise as it helps to strengthen the heart, bones and muscles and controls weight. The walks are also great fun, a good way to meet new people and can improve the quality of life for people by boosting their mood and beating depression,” he added.
In Hereford, there are two guided walks on offer. One, which lasts for an hour, is on Tuesdays and walkers should meet at Tescos, Belmont, at 10am. The other one is on Thursdays at 11.15am when walkers should meet inside St Francis Church, South Wye. This walk lasts for 45 minutes.
In Marden, there is a free walk on Wednesdays when walkers should meet at the playing fields car park at 2pm while in Ross-on-Wye there is a one-hour walk on Thursdays when people should meet at the swimming pool car park at 10am. Dogs on leads are welcome on the Ross-on-Wye and Marden walks.
Leominster has two walks, one on Tuesdays at 11am and one on Thursdays at 6.30pm. The walks are both one-hour in duration and walkers should meet outside the Tourist Information Centre in Corn Square.
Footprints Countywide now wants to expand the number of walks on offer and is appealing for new volunteer leaders to get in touch. Anyone interested will receive free training.
To join one of the walks, train as a leader or suggest a new walking route, contact Herefordshire Council’s Walking for Health Co-ordinator Charlotte Dodson on 01432 260324.
Charlotte, who has been worked in the fitness industry for nine years, was recently appointed by Herefordshire council to coordinate the Footprints Project which is jointly funded by the council through the LIFT exercise referral scheme, Active England, Leader + and Herefordshire PCT.
