Healthy march around Melton
12 March 2010
Alan Duncan MP for Rutland and Melton is to join Natural England’s Regional Director for the East Midlands, Maddy Jago, this week, on a health walk in Melton Mowbray, part of Natural England Walking for Health (WfH) initiative.
Maddy and Alan will join members of the Melton walking group for the march around Melton to find out more about the activities. The group runs two, weekly sessions including a senior’s walk aimed at older people and a buggy walk which is aimed at new mothers and young families.
Maddy Jago and Alan Duncan will be meeting with the group at 12 noon on Friday 19 March.
Natural England’s Walking for Health (WfH) scheme encourages people to enjoy local natural spaces whilst gaining important health benefits by taking part in health walks. It is the largest national body to promote and set standards for led health walks, supporting almost 600 health walk schemes across the country.
Hazel Ainsworth, Natural England Health and Environment Specialist said: “Walking for Health helps people re-connect with their natural environment. When people walk they appreciate the value of the green space that is right on their doorstep. It can lead to them feeling more a part of their local community by becoming more actively involved in making decisions about what happens to their local area.”
Liz Cresswell, Physical Development Officer at Melton Borough Council said “Walking is a great way to keep fit and meet new people. Melton's senior walks are an excellent way of keeping your body and mind active. The walks take place every Thursday and are either around the country park or in different villages across the borough”.
For further information or to join the Melton walking group, contact Liz Cresswell on 01664 502502 or email: sports@melton.gov.uk.
To find your nearest walk go to: www.whi.org.uk/walkfinder/home
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Notes to editors:
Members of the media are invited to attend Egerton Park, Leicester Road, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire at 12 noon on Friday 19 March.
For further information, please email Charlene Kumar, Natural England Communications Advisor, or call 0300 060 2828. Read our press releases.
For further information visit the Walking for Health website.
The Active Together Melton team (based within Melton Borough Council) organises two weekly led walks as part of the Natural England Walking for Health Programme. These walks have achieved Natural England accreditation for quality assurance and they are delivered in cooperation with the Friends of the Country Park and the Senior’s Forum for the area.
The walks start at Melton County Park and Leicester Road Sports Ground in Melton.
Since April 2009, 131 people have taken part in the walks, with up to 40 people participating on any one walk.
The Active Together Melton team are currently working to set up a new additional walk which will be open to all.
To find out more about MP Alan Duncan, visit his website.
