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Birmingham Get Walking Joins International Women’s Day Celebrations

mhoward — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:22:03 +0000

On 16th March at Balsall Heath Church, Edward Road, Balsall Heath, Get Walking Birmingham staff and volunteers will join Balsall Heath Forum in celebrating International Women’s Day.

International Women’s Day began in 1908 when over 15,000 women marched through New York City to demand shorter working hours, better pay and voting rights. Two years later the idea of an International Women’s Day was suggested at a conference and since then has grown to a day of recognition and celebration across the globe.

At Balsall Heath there will be workshops, presentations and lunch provided as well as entertainment from Sampad South Asian Arts. Why not come and join in?!

Useful Links

More information about International Women’s Day

Location map for Balsall Heath Church

Morningside Get Moving in the Morning

jsadler — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:00:52 +0000

We are currently running a highly successful walking programme with Morningside Children’s Centre in Hackney. The walks which start at 9am on Monday mornings have attracted new walkers from across the borough who have all loved the walks and free step counters.

There is still time to get involved yourself – why not come along next week?

The address is: Morningside Children’s and Parents’ Centre, Chatham Place E9 6LL

Useful Links

Morningside Children’s and Parent’s Centre website

Find out how to get there

The Fallowfield Loop

chris.wingrove — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:09:29 +0000

This is an easy 3 mile walk, mostly along the former railway line known as The Fallowfield Loop. The line was closed in 1988 and since then has been transformed into a joint walking and cycling route that stretches from Chorlton to Fairfield – it is thought to be one of the longest urban cycle paths in the country!

In addition to a stroll along the Loop, this walk also takes in Kingswood Park and Old Moat Park – an urban green route for everyone to enjoy!

How To Get There

Various buses run along nearby Wilmslow Road. You can use the journey planner at the Greater Manchester Public Transport Information website to find out how to get to the starting point from where you are.

Manchester Journey Planner

Burbury Brickworks Project walk

chris.wingrove — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:28:38 +0000

This short circular walk takes in a really interesting patch of Birmingham! The former Burbury Brickworks is now an important area for wildlife and flowers in the area. It is also part of the walkway along the River Cole. When operational the brickworks provided the red bricks for the terraced houses in the area. When the site stopped production the land gradually began to return to nature and is now home to ducks, newts and even orchids!

Green Day!

gmininni — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:42:53 +0000

On the 2nd of March, the Lambeth, Vauxhall and Brixton Colleges coordinated a Green Day, inviting students, local authorities and organisations working on green issues, health and environment, to take part.

Hundreds of students came along to learn more about the benefits of walking for their health and the importance of doing regular phisical activity. They showed interest and enthusiasm towards the GW initiative and they signed up for free DIY packs, badges and other goodies!

Thanks to the help of our volunteers and staff memeber, we had the chance to supply students, teachers and other participants with advice on how to change their behaviour to achieve a healthier lifestyle.

Students also got more information about recycling, healthy food, energy and resources saving tips, and more. They also participated in eco-art workshops, green games, competitions, a film screening and theatre performances!

The GW team enjoyed taking part in such a dynamic initiative and is looking forward to new ones!

Useful Links

Vauxhall College

Walking to beat the recession

jeanette.cole — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:55:50 +0000

It’s a no-brainer, really. Walking is the most natural way to get about: it’s easy, it keeps you fit and you don’t need any special equipment to do it. But best of all in these recessionary times, walking is absolutely free!

Of course, walking is also one of the slowest forms of transport there is. But it may still be your quickest option, taking into account all the other factors that make up your journey. We tend to over-estimate the speed of a car or bus journey, and under-estimate how quickly we walk. Add in the time spent parking the car or waiting for a bus, and walking is often the best choice for short trips.

That’s the key. No-one seriously suggests that you sell the car and tear up your travelcard; but on average about a third of all journeys are less than a mile. Is it really sensible to drive the short trips that you could walk in just a few minutes?

From an article by David Foster in the autumn 2009 edition of the Ramblers walk magazine.

Useful links

walk magazine site

A Burning Issue

chris.wingrove — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:24:54 +0000

Colin Mansfield asks: After an hour’s walking I start to experience a burning sensation in my feet. If I continue walking this gets very painful and the only way I get relief is to stop and remove my shoes for about 15 minutes. I’m sure it’s not my shoes and socks.

Dr David Ashton says: Burning feet can have several different causes. It may be a sensivity to the fabrics or dyes in your socks or shoes, or even the detergent you use to wash the socks. If you haven’t tried so already vary these to see if one may the cause.

You could also try in-soles or gel pads, and swap cotton or wool socks for those made of artificial fibres that draw sweat away from your feet to cool them down.

It is also possible that you may have damaged the nerves in your feet. Burning is one symptom of peripheral neuropathy (most commonly caused by diabetes), but it can also be a pins and needles sensation, numbness or tickling.

As well as all the above suggestions, try soaking your feet in cool water – don’t use ice – and try a pain reliever such as aspirin. Unfortunately you may just be one of those people with little padding on your feet.

Useful Links

Peripheral Neuropathy Fact Sheet from N.I.D.S.

Do you have a health issue that affects your walking? Send us a message from the ‘Get in Touch‘ page and we’ll ask our resident health expert!

Whalley Range Family Centre Walk

mlacey — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:50:26 +0000

Join us for 4 weeks of walks suitable for Parents, toddlers and buggies starting from Whalley Range Family Centre, Whalley Range Methodist Church. Walks start on 22nd April and take place between 9:30-11:30am. ALL WELCOME!

A chance for the adults to have a healthy chat and for the children to take part in fun activities!

For more information contact Netty on 0161 232 3101/07979 693 029

Useful Links

Meeting point

Ashbury Meadows Walking Group

mlacey — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:42:22 +0000

Ashbury Meadows will be having a series of walks for Parents, toddlers and buggies from Ashbury Meadows Sure Start, Rylance Road, Beswick. The walks will take place every six weeks (31st March, 19th May, 30th June, 11th August, 22nd September) 10:00 – 11:30am ALL WELCOME!!

A chance for the adults to have a healthy chat and for the children to take part in fun activities!

For more information contact Netty on 0161 232 3101/07979 693 029

Stories from the East

daukim — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:56:15 +0000

Today sees the fourth art walk heading out from near Devons Way in Tower Hamlets, where the group we learn the art of sketching.

Last week the group were joined by Rich Sylvester a local story teller. They enjoyed hearing about the fascinating history of the area, along the canals leading to Limehouse Basin. The group listened attentively to stories about how life would have been when the water was the beating heart of the area.