Barnbygate Strollers are celebrating their 10th anniversary, and are helping local people to get active.
A GROUP that was started to help people improve their health by walking has just marked its tenth anniversary.
Barnbygate Strollers now run several walks a week, from gentle park strolls of a mile or so, to longer routes of five or six miles in the countryside.
The group began life as part of Friends of Barnbygate Surgery, a patient participation group.
It was initially accredited to Walking For Health, a national network of free group health walk schemes to help people lead a more active lifestyle.
But the group now operates less formally, allowing it to be more flexible to meet the needs of its members.
It runs weekly Wednesday walks of up to three miles, as well as longer walks on the last Monday of each month, covering distances of five or six miles.
On the second and fourth Tuesday of every month, there are shorter walks of about a mile at Newark’s Sconce and Devon Park, which are ideal for those new to walking, or recovering from illness or injury.
The friendly walks for all fitness levels have not only helped people keep active and get outdoors, but also to enjoy social events, meet new people and form friendships.
Co-ordinator Barrington Randle, of Newark, has been with the group since the early days, and regularly leads walks.
He said it was one of the most accessible ways to keep active.
“All you need is a coat in case it rains and a decent pair of shoes,” he said.
The joint co-ordinator, Sue Lowe, has been with the group for almost ten years, after hearing about it in the surgery.
“I like walking so I thought I would go along, and then I got hooked because everyone is so lovely,” she said.
“We are very enthusiastic about our group because you see people grow and develop.
“It widens your horizons.”
Group member Pat Hankinson, of Balderton, joined three years ago, when she changed from working full-time to part-time.
After having a foot operation 18 months ago, she needed to build up her walking again.
“The Sconce walks were ideal for me then,” she said.
Many of the members are retired, but it is open to people of any age, with the youngest in his thirties.
The walks often involve a coffee stop, giving people a chance to chat more easily.
Each walk has a leader, who will check the route in advance to ensure there are no snags with footpaths or accessibility.
Most members live in and around Newark, including regular walk leader Ross Tooley.
“We tend to lead about one a month each, but we are always looking for more people to lead walks,” he said.
The group members try to use buses to get to and from out-of-town walks, or share cars if not, so that anyone is able to take part, whether or not they drive or have a car.
Social events have become part of the programme of events, seeing members eating out, taking part in quizzes, learning first aid — and even attending awards events to be recognised for the success of the group in promoting health and fitness.
The most recent social event was in April, when the strollers got together at South Muskham Village Hall to mark their tenth anniversary.
The event was attended by 39 members, including founder members Harold Pacey, Andrew Armstrong and Joan Shankland.
Since its formation, the group has run almost 500 Wednesday walks, with nearly 9,000 people taking part. The Tuesday walks, started in 2014, have seen almost 1,000 taking part.
For information on health walks, contact your own surgery.