Timetable Spring 2014 Programme of free, volunteer led Health Walks Gt. Yarmouth ‘Go Active’ Spring/Early Summer March 2014 – June 2014 ABOUT OUR WALKS – The walks are designed for the person who is looking for another friendly, enjoyable way of exercising and keeping fit. Most of the walks are between 2.5 – 3.5 miles with the odd 5 miler thrown in for those fit and game enough to have a go at the more challenging distance. Do not worry if you are not the fastest walker. All walks are staffed by trained volunteers with a leader at the front and a ‘back marker’ who will keep the slowest participants company. Nobody will be left behind! The walks have for some, become regular social occasions and usually conclude with the walkers heading for the nearest café or other ‘watering hole’ for well-earned refreshment. HOW DO I JOIN? – Just check dates and venues on the timetable and simply turn up and make yourself known to one of the volunteers who will be conspicuous by their clipboard and high visibility waistcoat. All we ask that you do is to fill in a simple ‘one off’ health questionnaire. If you have any health issues that you feel may affect your suitability for the scheme, then please consult your GP before joining us. WHAT SHOULD I WEAR? – Fair or foul weather, usually, the walks go ahead! Try to ensure you have comfortable clothing that will keep you warm and dry. Wear footwear that will keep your feet dry in wet, muddy environments and will also prevent you from slipping and sliding. It’s simply a matter of watching the weather and using common sense. As a post-script to this, the last few months have seen more rain than in previous walking seasons so please try and ensure that footwear is suitable for negotiating areas of very oozy mud. Some walkers may find a trekking pole particularly useful. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – These walks are possible thanks mainly to the unselfish efforts of our Volunteer Walk Leaders. Without their help, it is highly unlikely that the scheme in its present form, would survive. We desperately need more helpers. If you are able and willing to assist us, please speak to Vicki Redmond or one of our Walk Leaders. DOGS – Well-behaved dogs have always, for the most part, been welcome on our walks, provided that they are on a lead and owners always clear up after them. However, not all the walks are regarded as ‘dog-friendly’. We have some routes that take us through fields containing cattle and also some, such as Fritton Woods and Winterton Marrams, provide a wonderful habitat for adders – unlikely to cause walkers any problems, but an inquisitive dog may not be so fortunate. Also, please bear in mind that not everybody is a dog lover and some people may be disturbed by their presence. Please enquire as to the walk suitability before bringing your pet! ‘Go Active’ Health Walks Scheme 1 Timetable Spring 2014 CONTACT - Any queries, please contact Vicki Redmond. If she cannot answer your questions she will pass you on to one of our volunteers who should be able to help. Tel. 01493 744411 NORDIC WALKING In addition to the programme of free volunteer led walks which are offered as part of the National ‘Walking for Health’ scheme, East Coast Community Healthcare also offers two regular one hour Nordic Walking sessions on Thursdays. These are: 12 noon – Martham Community Centre, Playingfield Lane, Off Rollesby Road. NR29 4SP. 1.30 pm – Bure Park, Caister Road. Gt. Yarmouth. NR30 4AS These are led by Rachael Lacey who is able to provide poles. There is a small charge of £2.00 per head for these sessions. March 2014 Tuesday 4th March 1.30pm Martham, Morgrove (clockwise walk) Meeting outside St. Mary’s Church Black Street. Roadside parking Approx 60% firm and 40% soft surface Riverside and country lane walk 3.1 miles with superb marshland views. Thursday 6th March 10.00 am Gorleston Seafront NR31 6PL Meeting in the shelter opposite the Yacht Pond, Gorleston Sea Front Firm Surface Walking on firm ground in a friendly group This session is suitable for everyone Friday 7th March 10.30 am Gorleston – Railway Path NR31 6PL Meeting at the yacht pond car park Gorleston Sea Front Firm surface Old railway path and promenade circular walk. 3 miles, road crossing. Descending steps. Tuesday 11th March 1.30pm Hemsby NR29 4JG Meeting near the Lacon Arms PH Sea View Road, Hemsby. Soft surface Marrams, paths and beach walk 3 miles. Sturdy footwear recommended Thursday 13th March 10.00 am Gorleston Seafront NR31 6PL Meeting in the shelter opposite the Yacht Pond, Gorleston Sea Front Firm Surface Walking on firm ground in a friendly group This session is suitable for everyone. Friday 14th March 10.30am Gt Yarmouth Promenade NR30 4ET Meeting – North end of prom Opposite Salisbury Rd. Roadside Parking. 100% Firm 3 miles. Circular(ish) walk along the promenade Tuesday 18th March 1.30pm How Hill NR29 5PG Car park situated on a minor road off A1062. From Ludham follow signs. 10% firm surface 90% soft Country walk, at beautiful nature reserve. 2.7 miles uneven ground, grass moderate slopes to Wellington Pier & back along the Golden Mile. ‘Go Active’ Health Walks Scheme 2 Timetable Spring 2014 Thursday 20th March 10.00 am Gorleston Seafront NR31 6PL Meeting in the shelter opposite the Yacht Pond, Gorleston Sea Front Firm Surface Walking on firm ground in a friendly group This session is suitable for everyone. Friday 21st March Runham Swim NR29 3EL Runham Church Car Park 10.30am Please park considerately. Approx 80% soft surface 20% firm Rural walk past ‘Nowhere’ wind pump & Runham Swim. Marsh views to distant Yarmouth. Quiet lanes. 3.1 miles. Circular. Tuesday 25th March 1.30 pm Fleggburgh (Burgh St Margaret) Approx’ 30% firm surface 70% soft Meeting in the Kings Arms or Village Hall. Country and wooded walk with views of Filby Main Road, Fleggburgh. NR29 3AG Broad. 2 miles Thursday 27th March 10.00 am Gorleston Seafront NR31 6PL Meeting in the shelter opposite the Yacht Pond, Gorleston Sea Front Firm Surface Walking on firm ground in a friendly group This session is suitable for everyone. Friday 28th March 10.30am Lound Meeting outside the village Maid PH Roadside parking (please park considerately) Approx 90% soft surface 10% firm Tracks and field side paths, pretty country walk. 2.5 miles. Steps – descending. Circular. April 2014 Tuesday 1st April 1.30pm Upton (Nr Acle NR13 6BG) Meeting at Upton Dyke car park Clearly signposted in the village. Soft surfaces Pleasant circular walk along riverbank, marsh track & through woods. 2.5 miles Thursday 3rd April 10.00 am Gorleston Seafront NR31 6PL Meeting in the shelter opposite the Yacht Pond, Gorleston Sea Front Firm Surface Walking on firm ground in a friendly group This session is suitable for everyone Friday 4th April 10.30am Filby NR29 3HJ Meet & park opposite Fox & Hounds public house Approx’ 70% firm surface 30% soft Field path and lane walk with historic interest 3 miles. Gentle gradients. Circular. Tuesday 8th April 1.30 pm Repps NR29 5JE Meeting in the car park opposite Latham’s of Potter Heigham Approx’ 30% firm surface 70% soft Riverside walk along the banks of the Thurne 2.5 miles. Some uneven ground. Muddy if wet. Thursday 10th April 10.00 am Gorleston Seafront NR31 6PL Meeting in the shelter opposite the Yacht Pond, Gorleston Sea Front Firm Surface Walking on firm ground in a friendly group This session is suitable for everyone. ‘Go Active’ Health Walks Scheme 3 Timetable Spring 2014 Friday 11th April 10.30am Horsey Marrams NR29 4AD Meeting in Nelson’s Head PH Car Park. The Street, Horsey. Firm and soft surface walk Varied landscape of the Norfolk Broads National Park. 3 miles. Uneven surfaces. Tuesday 15th April 1.30pm Winterton – High Barn NR29 4AJ Meeting outside the village hall Winterton. Please park considerately Approx 70% soft surface 30% firm Excellent sea views, quiet lanes and tracks. 2.8 miles. Moderate gradients. Road crossing. Thursday 17th April 10.00 am Gorleston Seafront NR31 6PL Meeting in the shelter opposite the Yacht Pond, Gorleston Sea Front Firm Surface Walking on firm ground in a friendly group This session is suitable for everyone. GOOD FRIDAY _ BRING & SHARE HOT CROSS BUNS Friday How Hill NR29 5PG 18th April Car park situated on a minor road 10.30am off A1062. From Ludham follow signs. & DRINKS 10% firm surface 90% soft Country walk, at beautiful nature reserve. 2.7 miles uneven ground, grass moderate slopes Tuesday 22nd April 1.30pm Thurne – Oby NR29 3AP Meeting near the Lion Inn PH Please park considerately Approx 20% firm surfaces 80% soft Field side paths and riverbank walk 3.3 miles. 1 stile, can be muddy if wet. Thursday 24th April 10.00 am Gorleston Seafront NR31 6PL Meeting in the shelter opposite the Yacht Pond, Gorleston Sea Front Firm Surface Walking on firm ground in a friendly group This session is suitable for everyone. Friday 25th April 10.30am Ludham WomackNR29 5GQ Meeting Womack Staithe, Horsefen Rd. Ludham Approx 50% soft surface 50% firm Shortened route 2.5miles, country lanes marsh & field tracks. Tuesday 29th April 1.30pm Winterton, Burnley Hall Est NR29 4AW Meeting at the playing field car park Somerton Road, Nr All Saints church Approx 50% soft surface 50% firm Tracks and paths through the Burnley Hall Est. 3 miles. Could be muddy if wet May 2013 Thursday 1st May 10.00 am Gorleston Seafront NR31 6PL Meeting in the shelter opposite the Yacht Pond, Gorleston Sea Front Firm Surface Walking on firm ground in a friendly group This session is suitable for everyone. Friday 2nd May 10.30am Martham, Cess Rd. (anticlockwise route)Approx 75% firm and 25% soft surface Meeting outside St. Mary’s Church Riverside and country lane walk Black Street. Roadside parking 3.1 miles. Tuesday 6th May 1.30pm Potter Heigham Candle Dyke NR29 5JE Meeting at the car park opposite Latham’s Potter Heigham Approx 90% soft surface 10% firm Riverside walk to Candle Dyke and returning along the river Thurne 3.4 miles. Muddy if wet. ‘Go Active’ Health Walks Scheme 4 Timetable Spring 2014 Thursday 8th May 10.00am Gorleston Seafront NR31 6PL Meeting in the shelter opposite the Yacht Pond, Gorleston Sea Front Firm Surface Walking on firm ground in a friendly group This session is suitable for everyone. Friday 9th May 10.30am Thurne – Du Beck Wood NR29 3AP Meeting near the Lion Inn PH Please park considerately Approx 20% firm surfaces 80% soft Field side paths and riverbank walk 3.8 miles. Can be muddy if wet. Tuesday 13th May 1.30pm Lound Meeting outside the village Maid PH Roadside parking (please park considerately) Approx 90% soft surface 10% firm Tracks and field side paths, pretty country walk. 2.5 miles. Steps – descending. Circular. Thursday 16th May 10.00 am Gorleston Seafront NR31 6PL Meeting in the shelter opposite the Yacht Pond, Gorleston Sea Front Firm Surface Walking on firm ground in a friendly group This session is suitable for everyone. Friday 16th May 10.30am Corton NR32 4TZ On the Corton Roundabout. Zone B Close to Tesco car park entrance Approx 80% soft 20% firm Woods and along Corton cliff top 2.5 miles – road crossing, uneven ground. Tuesday 20th May 1.30 pm Breydon Water NR30 1HZ Meeting at the pay & display car park next to Haven Bridge House Approx’ 50% soft surface 50% firm Enjoy views over Breydon Water from the Riverside Park. Approx 2.5 miles Thursday 22nd May 10.00 am Gorleston Seafront NR31 6PL Meeting in the shelter opposite the Yacht Pond, Gorleston Sea Front Firm Surface Walking on firm ground in a friendly group This session is suitable for everyone Friday 23rd May 10.30am Horsey Mere/Waxham Cut Meeting in Nelson’s Head PH Car Park. The Street, Horsey. Firm and soft surface walk Varied landscape of the Norfolk Broads National Park. 3.4 miles. Uneven surfaces. Tuesday 27th May 1.30 pm Burgh Castle NR31 9QG Meeting at Roman fort car park Butt Lane. Approx’ 70% soft surface 30% firm Circular walk starting with historic Roman fort 2.9 miles. Gradients and steps Thursday 29th May 10.00 am Gorleston Seafront NR31 6PL Meeting in the shelter opposite the Yacht Pond, Gorleston Sea Front Firm Surface Walking on firm ground in a friendly group This session is suitable for everyone Friday 30th May 10.30am Upton (Nr Acle NR13 6BG) Meeting at Upton Dyke car park Clearly signposted in the village. Soft surfaces Pleasant circular walk along riverbank, marsh track & through woods. 2.5 miles NR29 4AD ‘Go Active’ Health Walks Scheme 5 Timetable Spring 2014 June 2014 Tuesday 3rd June 1.30pm Filby NR29 3HJ Meet & park opposite Fox & Hounds public house Approx’ 70% firm surface 30% soft Field path and lane walk with historic interest 3 miles. Gentle gradients. Circular. Thursday 5th June 10.00 am Gorleston Seafront NR31 6PL Meeting in the shelter opposite the Yacht Pond, Gorleston Sea Front Firm Surface Walking on firm ground in a friendly group This session is suitable for everyone Friday 6th June 10.30am Thurne – Oby NR29 3AP Meeting near the Lion Inn PH Please park considerately Approx 20% firm surfaces 80% soft Field side paths and riverbank walk 3.3 miles. 1 stile, can be muddy if wet. Tuesday 10th June 1.30pm Corton NR32 4TZ On the Corton Roundabout. Zone B Close to Tesco car park entrance Approx 80% soft 20% firm Woods and along Corton cliff top 2.5 miles – road crossing, uneven ground. Thursday 12th June 10.00 am Gorleston Seafront NR31 6PL Meeting in the shelter opposite the Yacht Pond, Gorleston Sea Front Firm Surface Walking on firm ground in a friendly group This session is suitable for everyone Friday 13th June 10.30am Hemsby NR29 4JG Meeting near the Lacon Arms PH Sea View Road, Hemsby. Soft surface Marrams, paths and beach walk 3 miles. Sturdy footwear recommended. NB. Walkers Tuesday 17th June 1.30pm have choice of 3 or 5.1 MILE WALK dependent on available walk leaders. Horsey Mere/Marrams NR29 4AW Approx 30% firm surface 70% soft. 3mile or Meeting at the Nelson’s Head 5.1 miles. Tracks and paths beside the beautiful Overspill Carpark. Horsey Mere, Waxham Cut and Horsey Dunes. 2 stiles and possibility of grazing cattle. Thursday 19th June 10.00 am Gorleston Seafront NR31 6PL Meeting in the shelter opposite the Yacht Pond, Gorleston Sea Front Firm Surface Walking on firm ground in a friendly group This session is suitable for everyone Friday 20th June 10.30am Potter Heigham Candle Dyke NR29 5JE Meeting at the car park opposite Latham’s Potter Heigham Approx 90% soft surface 10% firm Riverside walk to Candle Dyke and returning along the river Thurne 3.4 miles. Muddy if wet. Tuesday 24th June 1.30pm Thurne – Du Beck Wood NR29 3AP Meeting near the Lion Inn PH Please park considerately Approx 20% firm surfaces 80% soft Field side paths and riverbank walk 3.8 miles. Can be muddy if wet. ‘Go Active’ Health Walks Scheme 6 Timetable Spring 2014 Thursday 26th June 10.00 am Gorleston Seafront NR31 6PL Meeting in the shelter opposite the Yacht Pond, Gorleston Sea Front Firm Surface Walking on firm ground in a friendly group This session is suitable for everyone Friday 27th June 10.30am Burgh Castle NR31 9QG Meeting at Roman fort car park. Butt Lane. Approx’ 70% soft surface 30% firm Circular walk starting with historic Roman fort 2.9 miles. Gradients and steps HELP! Over the past 12 months we have lost the valuable services of some of our volunteer walk leaders but have not managed to recruit and train any new ones. This situation has been putting additional pressure on the remaining team. Four people have offered their services but it would be great to have more volunteers if you want the walks to continue in their present format. We are hoping, as soon as convenient, to arrange a training day at The Ship Resource Centre in Gt. Yarmouth. Please come forward if you feel you would like to offer your services. Your walking scheme needs you! ‘Go Active’ Health Walks Scheme 7