in Warrington reach for health walks These short walks provide an introduction to walking and are ideal if you haven t been out and about for a while. A Healthy Lifestyle Adviser will be at the meeting point whatever the weather and a decision will be taken then about starting. Sturdy footwear and waterproof clothing are essential. For further information please call the office on: 01925 843714 or 07918 720703 warrington parks ranger service walks Operating from designated sites within Warrington the ranger service provides a diverse range of events and activities. The walks shown within are a small selection of the full Program of events that the rangers and park friends groups provide. For more information please go to www.warrington.gov.uk or visit the WBC Contact shop on Horsemarket Street in the Town centre. women s walking network Warrington women s walking network provides 6 monthly programs of women s only walks. For information please contact Elaine Moss, Ranger service on: 01925 758195 2
moore nature reserve walks Moore Nature Reserve is a 200-acre site in Warrington, north Cheshire. The reserve consists of five large lakes surrounded by extensive woodland, meadows and wetlands, made accessible by a network of paths and bird hides. Its many habitats provide a home for a variety of birds, mammals, insects, plants, amphibians and fungi. The reserve is open to the public at all times, 365 days a year. Moore Nature Reserve is managed by wardens for the Waste Recycling Group Limited. Moore Nature Reserve is managed by wardens for the FCC Environment nordic walking This is an enhancement of ordinary walking. It makes something we can all do twice as effective! The use of poles means the upper body muscles are used as well as the legs. The poles help to propel the walker along, this means you work harder than usual yet the support given by the poles makes it feel easier. Nordic Walking is a specific fitness technique and increases the use of the upper body. Sessions are held every Tuesday 10.00am from Birchwood Leisure and Tennis Complex. Interested in giving something back to your community? The Reach for Health Team offers you the chance to qualify as a Volunteer Health Walk Leader and will provide you with knowledge and skills to safely lead a health walk that would benefit you and your community. A free 1 day training course is all that s required to gain this valuable qualification that really can make a difference to your town. Call: 01925 843714 Email: mfairhurst@warrington.gov.uk 3
May walks There and back again Tuesday 22 May 1.30pm - 3.30pm Never been to the end of Culcheth Linear Park and back? If you are not used to walking and you fancy an easy introduction to this healthy activity. Why not join us on this easy walk of about 3 miles along the old route of the Wigan to Glazebrook railway line. Meet at the car park off Wigshaw Lane. A Warrington Rangers led walk. Bongs and beyond Wednesday 23 May 1.30pm - 3.15pm Explore the countryside to the south of Lymm on this walk of just over three miles through woods and lanes and find out what the Bongs means! Meet at the old ranger cabin, off Crouchley Lane. A Warrington Rangers led walk. Thursday 24th May 11.00am - 12.30pm Meet Lymm Dam Car Park, Crouchley Lane WA13 0AS A Reach for Health walk. Our industrial past - part 1 Thursday 24 May 7.00pm - 9.00pm Take a stroll through Warrington s industrial past on this 4 mile circular walk hosted by local transport historian Michael Jones. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear. Meet at the car park. A Warrington Rangers led walk. Beginners Bird Walk Sunday 27th May 10.00am A chance for anybody new to bird watching or with a passing interest in wildlife to learn about the variety of birds at Moore. Please bring binoculars if you have them, although some pairs may be borrowed from the wardens. Meet at car park. A Moore Nature Reserve Warden walk. Thursday 31st May 11.30am - 1.00pm Sankey Valley Park. Meet at Maltins Pub WA5 9PB A Reach for Health Walk. 4
June walks Woolston Park Thursday 7th June 11.00am - 12noon Meet at Woolston Neighbourhood Hub Off Hall Road WA1 4PN A Reach for Health Walk. Lymm Loop Thursday 14th June 11.00am - 12.30pm Meet at car park Crouchley Lane WA13 0AS A Reach for Health Walk An afternoon stroll Monday 18 June 1.00pm - 2.30pm Walton Hall Gardens. Another chance to join the rangers on this leisurely paced three mile walk taking in the local summer scenery. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear. Meet at the car park. A Warrington Rangers led walk. Victoria Park Thursday 21st June 11.00am - 12noon Meet on main car park off Knutsford Road. A Reach for Health Walk. Plough the field and saunter Thursday 21 June 7.00pm - 9.00pm Join the rangers for the first evening amble of the year as we set out on this circular walk of approximately 3 miles across the fields to New Lane End and back again to the Linear Park. Meet at Culcheth Linear Car Park off Wigshaw Lane. A Warrington Rangers led walk. 4 Counties view Thursday 28th June 2012 11.00am - 12.30pm Meet at Birchwood Forest Park car park. A Reach for Health Walk. Our industrial past - part 2 Thursday 28 June 7.00pm - 9.00pm The second part of local transport historian Michael Jones stroll through Warrington s industrial past. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear. Meet at the car park. A Warrington Rangers led walk. 5
July walks Heritage trail Sunday 1st July 1.30pm - 3.30pm Lymm has a fascinating history. When was the Dam built and what did they slit at the Slitting Mill? Why is the road past the church called Penny Hill? When did the railway arrive and where did it go? The answer to these questions and more can be found on this self-guided quiz trail as part of Lymm Festival 2012. The full circular route is 3.5 miles and takes in Lymm Dam, Slitten Gorge, the Trans Pennine Trail and the Bridgewater Canal, but you can do a shorter version if you prefer. Meet at the ranger centre off Statham Avenue, Lymm. This is a Warrington Rangers led walk. Rixton Clay Pitts Thursday July 5th 11am - 12.00noon Meet at car park off main road WA3 6ED A Reach for Health Walk. Flowers, Grasses and Sedges Sunday July 8th 10.00am Join us on a stroll around the reserve learning about our wide variety of wildflowers, grasses and sedges. Local experts will help us to identify and tell us more about the plants. Meet at car park. A Moore Nature Reserve Warden Walk. Batty about bats Wednesday 11 July 9.00pm - 10.30pm Sankey Valley Park is home to many 8 species of bats. Join the rangers for a guided walk around the park and see how many species we can find. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Places are limited so please book in advance on 01925 571836 Meet at Bewsey Bridge, near Lodge Lane car park. A Warrington Rangers led walk) Thursday July 12th 11.00am - 12.00noon Walton Hall Gardens. Meet at Canal Bridge near car park. A Reach for Health Walk. Thursday 19th July 11.00am - 12noon Sankey Valley Park. Meet at Maltins Pub WA5 9PB A Reach for Health Walk. Arpley Landfill Site Tour Wednesday 25th July 7.00pm This is another to visit the restored areas of Arpley Landfill Site, to learn more about the area, landfill and future plans. To date over 100 acres have been restored to woodland and grassland, and are home to a variety of wildlife. Places are limited, please call: 01925 444689 A Moore Nature Reserve Warden Walk. Thursday 26th July 11.00am - 12noon Morley Loop. Meet at Sankey Leisure Centre, Barrow hall Lane WA5 3AA A Reach for Health Walk. Our industrial past - part 3 Thursday 26 July 7.00pm - 9.00pm The last part of local transport historian Michael Jones stroll through Warrington s industrial past. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear. Meet at Walton Hall car park. A Warrington Rangers led walk.
August walks Paddington Meadows Thursday 2nd August 11.00am - 12noon Meet on Larkfield Ave off Manchester Road WA1 3NE A Reach for Health Walk. Bat walk and talk Wednesday 8th August 8.30pm - 10.00pm Join the rangers on this guided walk and learn about Britain s only flying mammal. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please book in advance 01925 571836 Meet at the Ferry Inn Car park, station road, Penketh. A Warrington Rangers led walk. Thursday 9th August 11.00am - 12.30pm Peel hall Park. Meet at car park off Foxfield Close WA2 0RP A Reach for Health Walk. Damsels & Dragons Sunday 12th August 2.00pm - 3.30pm Join us as we look for some of the 15 species of dragonflies and damselflies recorded here at Risley Moss. Places are limited so please book in advance on 01925 824339. A Warrington Rangers led walk. Bat patrol Wednesday 15th August 8.45pm - 10.15pm Lymm Dam is home to several species of bat. Catch glimpses as they flit and swoop for insects and hear their calls via bat detectors as we discover their nocturnal world on this night-time walk around the Dam. Places are limited so please book in advance on: 01925 758195 Meet at the old ranger cabin off Crouchley Lane. A Warrington Rangers led walk. Thursday 16th August 11.00am - 12.30pm Culcheth Linear Park. Meet at car park off Wigshaw Lane WA3 4AB A Reach For Health Walk. An afternoon stroll Friday 17th August 1.00pm - 2.30pm Walton Hall Gardens. Another chance to join the rangers on a leisurely paced three-mile walk. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear. Meet at the car park. A Warrington Rangers led walk. Thursday 23rd August 11.00am - 12.30pm Black Bear Park. Meet at Car park off Loushers Lane WA4 6RD A Reach for Health Walk. Thursday 30th August 11.00am - 12.30pm Lumb Brook Halo. Meet at Broomfields Leisure Centre Appleton WA4 3AE A Reach For Health Walk. 9
September walks Windy Bank Woods Thursday 6th September 11.00am - 12.30pm Meet at rear of Bents Garden Centre Glazebury. A Reach for Health Walk. Houghton Green Pool Thursday 13th September 11.00am - 12.00noon Meet on Delph Lane WA2 0RF A Reach For Health Walk. Railway Rendezvous Saturday 15th September 10.30am - 12.30pm The last regular passenger train crossed the Latchford High Level bridge fifty years ago this week. Join us on a circular anniversary walk with local transport historian Mike Jones, taking in the old railway to Thelwall (now the Trans Pennine Trail), and crossing the mighty Latchford Locks to Latchford. Approximately 4 miles. Meet at Spar shop car park, Thelwall New Road. A Warrington Rangers led walk. A morning stroll Monday 17th September 9.30am - 11.00am Walton Hall Gardens. As autumn approaches why not join us on this easy paced three mile walk from and returning to Walton Hall Gardens? Please wear suitable clothing and footwear. Meet at the car park. A Warrington Rangers led walk. Moore Nature Reserve Thursday 20th September 11.00am - 12.30pm Meet at car park Lapwing Lane, Moore, WA4 6XE A Reach For Health Walk. September Jepsom Jaunt Thursday 27th September 11.00am - 12.30pm Meet at Car park Foxfield close WA2 0RP A Reach for Health Walk. 10
October walks Richmond Bank Thursday 4th October 11.00am - 12noon Meet at Fiddlers Tavern Car Park, Station rd penketh WA5 2UJ A Reach For Health Walk. Trans Pennine Trail Autumn Amble Wednesday 10th October 1.30pm - 3.00pm Join the rangers on this steadily-paced seasonal walk of approximately 3 miles around and about the Lymm area. Meet: ranger centre off Statham Avenue, Lymm. A Warrington Rangers led walk. Lymm Circular Thursday 11th October 11.00am - 12.30pm Meet Lymm Dam Car Park, Crouchley Lane WA13 0AS A Reach for Health walk. The Morley Loop Thursday 18th October 11.00am - 12noon Meet Sankey Leisure Centre, off Barrowhall Lane WA5 3AA A Reach for Health Walk. Hidden History Saturday 20 October 1.00pm - 3.30pm Sankey valley park. Come and discover the rich and varied history on the park. Approximately 5 miles. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear. Meet at Waterways car park, off Cromwell Avenue. A Warrington Rangers led walk. Fungal Foray Sunday 21st October - 11.00am A guided walk around Moore Nature Reserve focussing on fascinating fungi. Local naturalist and fungi enthusiast Fungal punk Dave will help us identify all the mushrooms and tell us some fungi facts. Meet at car park. A Moore Nature Reserve Warden Walk. Thursday 25th October 11.00am - 12.00noon Broomfields Leisure centre, Appleton WA4 3AE A Reach for Health Walk. 11
The Chief Medical Officer recommends that we achieve 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week, in bouts of 10 minutes or more. Regular brisk walking with a Walking for Health scheme can benefit everyone s health. The UK is facing a huge increase in the number of people with diabetes. Since 1996 the number diagnosed has increased from 1.4 million to 2.6 million. Most of these cases will be Type 2 diabetes, because of our ageing population and rapidly rising numbers of overweight and obese people. Regular physical activity such as walking can prevent us developing type 2 diabetes, lowering the risk by 26-60%. (The Textbook of Diabetes, Holt I G et al, 2010). Coronary heart disease is the most common cause of death in the UK causing 88,000 deaths a year. 1 in 5 men and 1 in 8 women died from the disease in 2008. (Coronary Heart Disease Statistics, 2010 edition, BHF Health Promotion Research Group). People who are physically active are at lower risk of CHD. Walking for Health is a perfect way to get that exercise to keep your heart strong. Physical activity becomes even more important as we grow older and our metabolism (the rate we convert food to energy) slows down. In 2008 almost a quarter of adults in England (24% of men and 25% of women aged 16 or over) were obese. (NHS: Statistics on Obesity, Physical Activity and Diet, England 2010) The key to maintaining a healthy weight is to use up more energy than we take in. A healthy diet is essential to keeping control of how much energy we take in, and exercise such as walking is an important way to regulate how much energy we use. Mental health and well-being are an essential part of people s quality of life. More than 1 in 4 people will experience some kind of mental health problem in the course of a year (Mind website 2011). A survey carried out by the charity Mind found that 83% of people with mental health problems looked to physical activity to help lift their mood. What s more, Walking for Health walks take place in groups, and we often hear about how the social element of our walks: making new friends and being with other people, is one of the main reasons people enjoy health walks. Not feeling isolated and alone is an important aspect of good mental health.